IMO Practice Test — Subjunctive Mood
8 Questions • 15 min • Olympiad level
15:00
Question 1 of 8
Spot the error: 'It is imperative that he submits the report by Friday.'
submits → submit
imperative → important
is → was
no error
Explanation: The mandative subjunctive after 'imperative that' uses the base verb 'submit'.
Question 2 of 8
Choose the correct sentence.
The rules require that every applicant be a citizen.
The rules require that every applicant is a citizen.
The rules require that every applicant being a citizen.
The rules require that every applicant to be a citizen.
Explanation: Mandative subjunctive 'be'.
Question 3 of 8
Which sentence correctly uses the past subjunctive?
She acts as if she was royalty.
She acts as if she were royalty.
She acts as if she is royalty.
She acts as if she be royalty.
Explanation: Formal unreal comparison → 'were'.
Question 4 of 8
Fill in: 'If it ___ not for your help, I would have failed.' (present unreal)
was
were
is
be
Explanation: 'Were it not for your help' / 'If it were not for…' uses 'were'.
Question 5 of 8
Identify the formulaic subjunctive.
He goes to work.
Be that as it may, we proceed.
She is content.
They were late.
Explanation: 'Be that as it may' is a fixed subjunctive.
Question 6 of 8
Choose the correct mandative form: 'I move that the motion ___ adopted.'
is
be
was
should be (acceptable but less formal)
Explanation: Formal mandative subjunctive uses bare 'be'.
Question 7 of 8
Rearrange: 'essential / it / he / that / present / is / be'
It is essential that he be present.
It is essential he is present that.
He is essential that it be present.
That he be present it is essential.
Explanation: 'It is essential that he be present.'
Question 8 of 8
Which sentence keeps the subjunctive consistently?
The chair asked that the report be revised and that it is resubmitted.
The chair asked that the report be revised and resubmitted.
The chair asked that the report is revised and be resubmitted.
The chair asked that the report being revised and resubmitted.
Explanation: Both verbs take the base form: 'be revised and resubmitted'.