INTERROGATIVE PRONOUNS — MCQs for Competitive Examinations

(Based on Wren & Martin's English Grammar)

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Average Standard

1. ________ of these two pens do you prefer for your daily use?

• A) Who
• B) Whom
• C) Which
• D) What

2. ________ are you looking for in this cupboard so early in the morning?

• A) Who
• B) Which
• C) Whom
• D) What

3. ________ told you that the examination was postponed to next week?

• A) Whom
• B) Whose
• C) Which
• D) Who

4. ________ of the students scored the highest marks in the annual examination?

• A) What
• B) Which
• C) Whom
• D) Whose

5. ________ did the principal call to his room after the assembly?

• A) Who
• B) What
• C) Which
• D) Whom

6. ________ is your father's occupation — is he a doctor or an engineer?

• A) Who
• B) Which
• C) What
• D) Whom

7. Choose the correct sentence:

• A) Whom is standing at the gate of the school?
• B) Who is standing at the gate of the school?
• C) Whose is standing at the gate of the school?
• D) Which is standing at the gate of the school?

8. ________ bag is this that has been left unattended on the bench?

• A) Who
• B) Whom
• C) Which
• D) Whose

9. Identify the error in the following sentence: "Whom do you think is the best candidate for the post of class monitor?"

• A) Whom do you
• B) think is
• C) the best candidate
• D) class monitor
• E) No error

10. ________ do you mean by saying such harsh words to your own friends?

• A) Who
• B) Whom
• C) What
• D) Which

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Answers

1. C) Which "Which" is used as an interrogative pronoun when the choice is limited to a specific group or set of things already identified. Wren & Martin states that "which" is used instead of "what" when the selection is made from a definite and limited number — here the choice is between "these two pens."

2. D) What "What" is used as an interrogative pronoun when asking about things in general without any specific limitation. Wren & Martin states that "what" is used to ask about things when no particular set or group is specified — here the person is searching for an unspecified thing in the cupboard.

3. D) Who "Who" is used as the subject of the interrogative sentence when asking about a person. Wren & Martin clearly states that "who" functions as the subject of the verb in a question — here "who told you" correctly uses "who" as the subject of the verb "told."

4. B) Which "Which" is used here because the question refers to a specific, identified group — the students. Wren & Martin states that "which" is preferred over "what" when the selection is from a known and limited group — here the students form a definite and identified group.

5. D) Whom "Whom" is used as the object of the verb "call" in this interrogative sentence. Wren & Martin clearly states that "whom" is the objective case of "who" and must be used when the interrogative pronoun functions as the object of a verb or preposition — here "whom did the principal call" uses "whom" as the object of "call."

6. C) What "What" is used to ask about a person's profession, nature, or character. Wren & Martin states that "what" is used when enquiring about the occupation, rank, or nature of a person — "what is your father's occupation" correctly asks about profession, not identity.

7. B) Who is standing at the gate of the school? "Who" is used as the subject of the verb "is standing" in this interrogative sentence. Wren & Martin states that "who" is used as the subject pronoun in questions about persons — "whom" is used only as an object, never as a subject of a verb.

8. D) Whose "Whose" is the possessive form of the interrogative pronoun "who" and is used to ask about ownership or possession. Wren & Martin states that "whose" is used in questions to enquire about belonging — here "whose bag is this" correctly asks about the owner of the bag.

9. A) Whom do you "Whom" is incorrectly used here because the pronoun is actually the subject of the verb "is" in the clause "who is the best candidate." Wren & Martin states that "who" must be used as the subject of a verb — the inserted phrase "do you think" does not change the grammatical role of the pronoun. Correct sentence: "Who do you think is the best candidate for the post of class monitor?"

10. C) What "What" is used here to ask about the meaning or intention behind an action or statement. Wren & Martin states that "what" is used as an interrogative pronoun when asking about the nature, meaning, or purpose of something — "what do you mean" is a standard expression asking about the intention behind the words spoken.