WREN & MARTIN's English grammar-10 MCQs on the Usage of "Even" and "Less" as Different Parts of Speech
10 MCQs on the Usage of "Even" and "Less" as Different Parts of Speech
1. "The surface of the playground must be even before the children can play safely." — What part of speech is "even"?
- A) Adverb
- B) Verb
- C) Noun
- D) Adjective
Answer: D) Adjective ("Even" follows the linking verb "must be" and describes the required state of the playground surface as flat and level — it functions as a predicate adjective meaning "smooth" or "level.")
2. "Even the most experienced surgeon found the operation extremely challenging and complex." — What part of speech is "even"?
- A) Adjective
- B) Noun
- C) Verb
- D) Adverb
Answer: D) Adverb ("Even" is used here to emphasise that something surprising or unexpected is true — it modifies the noun phrase "the most experienced surgeon" and functions as a focusing adverb expressing emphasis or surprise.)
3. "The referee evened the score by awarding a penalty to the trailing team in the final minute." — What part of speech is "evened"?
- A) Adverb
- B) Noun
- C) Adjective
- D) Verb
Answer: D) Verb ("Evened" means to make equal or level — it functions as the main action verb of the sentence expressing what the referee did to the score by awarding the penalty.)
4. "She spoke in an even tone throughout the tense and heated negotiation with the clients." — What part of speech is "even"?
- A) Adverb
- B) Verb
- C) Noun
- D) Adjective
Answer: D) Adjective ("Even" comes before the noun "tone" and describes its quality as calm, steady, and controlled — it functions as an attributive adjective modifying the noun and conveying a sense of composure.)
5. "She worked even harder after receiving the constructive feedback from her supervisor." — What part of speech is "even"?
- A) Adjective
- B) Noun
- C) Verb
- D) Adverb
Answer: D) Adverb ("Even" modifies the comparative adverb "harder" and intensifies the degree of her effort — it functions as an adverb of degree emphasising that her work ethic increased beyond what it already was.)
6. "There is less traffic on the roads during the early hours of the morning." — What part of speech is "less"?
- A) Adverb
- B) Pronoun
- C) Noun
- D) Adjective
Answer: D) Adjective ("Less" comes before the uncountable noun "traffic" and indicates a smaller quantity of it — it functions as an adjective modifying the noun and expressing a reduced amount.)
7. "Could you please speak less loudly as the baby has just fallen asleep in the next room?" — What part of speech is "less"?
- A) Adjective
- B) Noun
- C) Pronoun
- D) Adverb
Answer: D) Adverb ("Less" modifies the adverb "loudly" and indicates a lower degree of volume — it functions as an adverb of degree forming the comparative of the adverb and suggesting a reduction in the manner of speaking.)
8. "After the generous donation, there was considerably less to worry about regarding the funding of the project." — What part of speech is "less"?
- A) Adjective
- B) Adverb
- C) Conjunction
- D) Noun
Answer: D) Noun ("Less" stands alone as the subject of the clause with no noun following it — it functions as a noun referring to a smaller amount or degree of concern about the funding situation.)
9. "The new employee is less experienced than her colleagues but makes up for it with her enthusiasm." — What part of speech is "less"?
- A) Adjective
- B) Noun
- C) Pronoun
- D) Adverb
Answer: D) Adverb ("Less" modifies the adjective "experienced" and forms its comparative degree — it functions as an adverb of degree indicating that she has a lower level of experience compared to her colleagues.)
10. "Could you make do with less until the new supplies arrive at the end of the week?" — What part of speech is "less"?
- A) Adjective
- B) Adverb
- C) Noun
- D) Conjunction
Answer: C) Noun ("Less" stands alone as the object of the phrasal verb "make do with" with no noun following it — it functions as a noun referring to a reduced or smaller quantity of whatever is currently available.)
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