MDCAT English Syllabus

English syllabus — full chapter and topic list

Expand any chapter to see its topics and sub-topics. This is the whole examinable outline for English in MDCAT, not a summary of it.

1. 1

   Grammar and Vocabulary

   3 topics

   • Parts of Speech
   • Correct Usage of Tenses
   • Vocabulary Usage
2. 2

   Reading Comprehension

   3 topics

   • Understanding Main Ideas
   • Finding Supporting Details
   • Inference
3. 3

   Sentence Structure

   3 topics

   • Sentence Completion
   • Sentence Correction
   • Paragraph Completion

English flashcards for MDCAT

23 of 50 cards from the English deck — real questions with worked answers.

1. What is a 'part of speech' and how many main parts of speech are traditionally recognized in English?

   A part of speech is a category assigning a word its grammatical function in a sentence. English traditionally has 8: noun, pronoun, verb, adjective, adverb, preposition, conjunction, and interjection (with articles/determiners often added).

2. Define a noun and list its main types.

   A noun names a person, place, thing, or idea. Types: common, proper, concrete, abstract, countable, uncountable, collective, and compound nouns.

3. What is a pronoun and what are its main categories?

   A pronoun replaces a noun to avoid repetition. Categories: personal, possessive, reflexive, relative, demonstrative, interrogative, indefinite, and reciprocal.

4. What is the difference between an adjective and an adverb?

   An adjective modifies a noun or pronoun (a fast car), while an adverb modifies a verb, adjective, or another adverb (drives fast, very quick). Many adverbs end in '-ly'.

5. What is a preposition and what does it show?

   A preposition links a noun/pronoun to other words, showing relationships of time, place, direction, or manner (in, on, at, by, under, before).

6. What is the difference between coordinating and subordinating conjunctions?

   Coordinating conjunctions (FANBOYS: for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so) join equal elements. Subordinating conjunctions (because, although, since, when, if) link a dependent clause to an independent one.

7. What is an interjection? Give examples.

   An interjection is a word or phrase expressing sudden emotion, standing apart grammatically. Examples: Oh!, Wow!, Alas!, Ouch!, Hurray!

8. Distinguish between a transitive and an intransitive verb.

   A transitive verb requires a direct object (She wrote a letter). An intransitive verb does not take a direct object (He sleeps). Some verbs can be both.

9. What are the four main verb forms used to build English tenses?

   The base form (write), the past simple (wrote), the past participle (written), and the present participle/-ing form (writing).

10. How many tenses does English have when combining time and aspect, and what are the three times and four aspects?

    There are 12 tense-aspect combinations: three times (past, present, future) each with four aspects (simple, continuous/progressive, perfect, perfect continuous).

11. Give the structure and use of the Simple Present tense.

    Structure: subject + base verb (+ -s/-es for third person singular). Use: habits, general truths, and permanent situations (The sun rises in the east; She works here).

12. Give the structure and use of the Present Continuous tense.

    Structure: subject + am/is/are + verb-ing. Use: actions happening now or around now, and planned future arrangements (I am studying; We are meeting tomorrow).

13. Give the structure and use of the Present Perfect tense.

    Structure: subject + have/has + past participle. Use: past actions with present relevance, experiences, and actions continuing to now (She has finished; I have lived here for years).

14. Give the structure and typical signal words of the Simple Past tense.

    Structure: subject + past-form verb (regular add -ed). Use: completed actions at a definite past time. Signal words: yesterday, ago, last week, in 2010.

15. When do we use the Past Perfect tense and what is its structure?

    Structure: subject + had + past participle. Use: the earlier of two past actions (By the time he arrived, the train had left).

16. How is the Simple Future expressed and used?

    Structure: subject + will + base verb (or be going to + base verb). Use: predictions, spontaneous decisions, and promises (It will rain; I'll help you).

17. What is the structure and use of the Future Perfect tense?

    Structure: subject + will have + past participle. Use: an action that will be completed before a specific future time (By 2030, she will have graduated).

18. How do you form the Present Perfect Continuous and when is it used?

    Structure: subject + have/has + been + verb-ing. Use: an action that started in the past and continues, emphasizing duration (I have been waiting for an hour).

19. What rule governs subject-verb agreement with a singular third-person subject in the present tense?

    A singular third-person subject takes a verb ending in -s/-es (He plays; The dog barks), while plural subjects take the base form (They play).

20. In reported (indirect) speech, how does a present-tense verb typically shift?

    It shifts back one step: present simple to past simple, present continuous to past continuous, and present perfect/past simple to past perfect (She said she was tired).

21. What is the difference between 'used to + verb' and the present simple for habits?

    'Used to + base verb' expresses a past habit or state no longer true (I used to smoke). The present simple expresses a current habit (I smoke).

22. Which tense is used in the main clause of a first conditional, and which in the 'if' clause?

    The 'if' clause uses the present simple, and the main clause uses 'will + base verb' (If it rains, we will stay home).

23. What tenses form the second (unreal present) conditional?

    The 'if' clause uses the past simple, and the main clause uses 'would + base verb' (If I had money, I would travel).

See more English flashcards →

Planning English for MDCAT

English (MDCAT) FAQ