English Practice Test 1

Which of the following represents a correct plural form of the word syllabus?

• Syllabus

• Syllaba

• Syllabi

• Syllabis

Syllabi

Which of the following is generally considered acceptable in a formal research paper?

• Colloquialisms

• Contractions

• Relative pronouns

• Second-person point of view

Relative Pronouns

colloquialisms are nonstandard forms of language, such as ain’t, or slang, like dude. Contractions represent the words as they sound in speech, so do not is formal, whereas don’t is informal. second-person point of view is when the writer tells the audience something directly, such as a direct imperative, like “You should do this.”

Bi, re, and un are:

• Suffixes, appearing at the beginning of base words to change their meaning

• Suffixes, appearing at the end of base words to enhance their meaning

• Prefixes, appearing at the beginning of base words to emphasize their meaning

• Prefixes, appearing at the beginning of base words to change their meaning

Prefixes, appearing at the beginning of base words to change their meaning

Which of the following sentences shows the correct use of quotation marks?

• Grady asked Abe, ‘Did you know that an earthquake and a tsunami hit Messina, Italy, in 1908?’

• Grady asked Abe, “Did you know that an earthquake and a tsunami hit Messina, Italy, in 1908”?

• Grady asked Abe, “Did you know that an earthquake and a tsunami hit Messina, Italy, in 1908?”

• Grady asked Abe, “ ‘Did you know that an earthquake and a tsunami hit Messina, Italy, in 1908’?”

Grady asked Abe, “Did you know that an earthquake and a tsunami hit Messina, Italy, in 1908?”

Therefore, because, and accordingly are examples of which type of signal words?

• Emphasis words

• Compare/contrast words

• Cause-and-effect words

• Temporal sequencing words

Cause-and-effect words

Which of the following provides the best definition for the prefix trans– as used in the underlined word in the sentence below?

Most of the window was heavily covered with dirt, but one spot in the corner had been carefully cleaned so that the outside light brilliantly shone through this part of the translucent pane.

• Across

• Bright

• Change

• Different

Across

The prefix trans– refers to going across, and the root lucent refers to light.

Which of the following is important in the concluding statement of an argument?

• The introduction of new points that might lead to future arguments

• A summary of the argument that clearly reinforces its main points

• A brief explanation of other perspectives on the topic

• A short metaphor to help the main idea be more memorable to the audience

A summary of the argument that clearly reinforces its main points

Which of the following is an example of revision?

• Typing the first draft of an essay

• Reading sentences for clarity and making necessary changes

• Creating a list of all sources used within the essay

• Mapping out possible topics and subtopics

• Reading sentences for clarity and making necessary changes

Which of the following words contains an exception to a spelling rule?

• Unclear

• Memorize

• Noticeable

• Palpable

• Noticeable

What transition should be added to the beginning of sentence 2 below?

(1) I zoned out in class, turned work in late, talked out in class, and handed in assignments after the due date. (2) Mr. Shanbourne just nodded.

• Surprisingly

• Actually

• Furthermore

• Instead

• Surprisingly

The following words all end in the same suffix, -ism: polytheism, communism, nationalism. Which of the following best correlates to the meaning of the suffix in these examples?

• A doctrine

• A condition

• A characteristic

• A state of being

A doctrine

he suffix -ism here suggests a doctrine that is followed, whether that be the doctrine of polytheism (a religious doctrine), communism (a social doctrine), or nationalism (a political doctrine).

What is the clearest way to rewrite the following sentence?

She is saying that some of the students are wearing outfits to school is being distracting and inappropriate.

• Some of the outfits students wear to school, she is saying, are distracting and not appropriate.

• The outfits are distracting and inappropriate, she says, that students wear to school.

• She says that some of the outfits that students wear to school are distracting and inappropriate.

• She says that it is distracting and inappropriate that students wear outfits to school.

• She says that some of the outfits that students wear to school are distracting and inappropriate.

Which of the following is an example of a correctly punctuated sentence?

• Beatrice is very intelligent, she just does not apply herself well enough in her classes to make good grades.

• Beatrice is very intelligent but she just does not apply herself well enough in her classes to make good grades.

• Beatrice is very intelligent she just does not apply herself well enough in her classes to make good grades.

• Beatrice is very intelligent; she just does not apply herself well enough in her classes to make good grades.

Beatrice is very intelligent; she just does not apply herself well enough in her classes to make good grades.

Which of the following is NOT a prewriting strategy?

• Brainstorming

• Visual mapping of ideas

• Asking questions

• Organizing writing into paragraphs

Organizing writing into paragraphs

Which of the following is a compound sentence?

• Tabitha and Simon started the day at the zoo and then went to the art museum for the rest of the afternoon.

• Tabitha and Simon started the day at the zoo, and then they went to the art museum for the rest of the afternoon.

• After starting the day at the zoo, Tabitha and Simon then went to the art museum for the rest of the afternoon.

• Tabitha and Simon had a busy day because they started at the zoo, and then they went to the art museum for the rest of the afternoon.

Tabitha and Simon started the day at the zoo, and then they went to the art museum for the rest of the afternoon.

Which of the following makes a correction to an error in this sentence?

The family sprinted through the airport, worryed they would miss their flight.

• “family” should be “families”

• “worryed” should be “worried”

• “airport,” should be “airport;”

• “their” should be “there”

• “worryed” should be “worried”

Which of these examples of communications would call for use of formal language? (Select all that apply.)

• An email to the dean of admissions

• A resume cover letter

• A letter to a congressperson advocating for a policy position

• A text to your friend group to set dinner plans

• An incident report to be filed with human resources

• A social media post announcing your engagement

• An email to the dean of admissions

• A resume cover letter

• A letter to a congressperson advocating for a policy position

• An incident report to be filed with human resources

Which of the following sets of words correctly fills in the blanks in the sentence below?

We cannot allow the budget cuts to __________ the plans to improve education; the futures of __________ children are at stake.

• effect; your

• affect; you’re

• effect; you’re

• affect; your

affect ; your

Which of the basic elements of the writing process should be completed before the first draft is written?

• Prewriting

• Revising

• Conferencing

• Editing

Prewriting

Which of the following sentences contains an incorrect use of capitalization?

• For Christmas, we are driving to the South to visit my grandmother in Mississippi.

• Last year, we went to East Texas to go camping in Piney Woods.

• Next month, we will visit my aunt Darla, who lives just East of us.

• When my sister-in-law Susan has her baby, I will take the train north to see her.

Next month, we will visit my aunt Darla, who lives just East of us.

Which of the following sentences is grammatically correct?

• Krista was not sure who to hold responsible for the broken window.

• Krista was not sure whom was responsible for the broken window.

• Krista was not sure whom to hold responsible for the broken window.

• Krista was not sure on who she should place responsibility for the broken window.

Krista was not sure whom to hold responsible for the broken window.

Which of the following sentences would be classified as informal language?

• Man, please finish this before the deadline or I am gonna regret recommending you.

• The deadline presented by the CEO is non-negotiable.

• Every member of the department must meet the deadline.

• The time period prior to the deadline is extremely significant.

Man, please finish this before the deadline or I am gonna regret recommending you.

Which of the following pieces of information would NOT support a thesis about the importance of hands-on learning in early education?

• Building structures with blocks helps develop fine-motor skills.

• Using modeling clay helps strengthen small finger and hand muscles.

• Watching educational videos improves student engagement.

• Hopscotch helps children develop coordination and even counting skills.

Watching educational videos improves student engagement.

Which of the following sentences is an example of correct subject-verb agreement?

• All of the board members are in agreement on the issue.

• Each of the students were concerned about the test scores for the final exam.

• Neither of the children are at home right now.

• This brownie recipe are perfect for the bake sale.

All of the board members are in agreement on the issue.

the pronoun all is plural, so it requires the plural verb are

Which of the following choices is NOT an appropriate way to express an opinion in a formal debate?

• There are still many arguments concerning the nature of space-time, including whether Einstein’s theory of relativity is applicable in every natural situation.

• The evidence overwhelmingly demonstrates that catastrophic consequences will result from failing to address climate change.

• Energy independence is an important topic that needs to be addressed in a thoughtful, careful manner that considers the far-reaching impact of any proposed changes.

• It is hypocritical to acknowledge that global warming is a problem and then still tool around in a gas-guzzling vehicle.

It is hypocritical to acknowledge that global warming is a problem and then still tool around in a gas-guzzling vehicle.

Which of the following is a simple sentence?

• Phillippa walked the dog, and Primula gave the dog a bath.

• Phillippa walked and bathed the dog, and Primula helped.

• Phillippa walked the dog, while Primula gave the dog a bath.

• Phillippa and Primula walked the dog and gave the dog a bath.

Phillippa and Primula walked the dog and gave the dog a bath.

A simple sentence has a single independent clause and no dependent clauses

Which of the following describes the elements of the prewriting portion of the writing process?

• Researching, outlining, and editing

• Preparation, referencing sources, and drafting

• Planning, brainstorming, and outlining

• Drafting, researching, and referencing sources

Planning, brainstorming, and outlining

What does the prefix poly- mean in the word polygon?

• Few

• One

• None

• Many

many

What are the five basic elements of the writing process?

• Prewriting, drafting, revising, editing, and publishing

• Brainstorming, outlining, writing, peer-review, researching

• Researching, prewriting, writing, brainstorming, conferencing

• Prewriting, writing, revising, researching, proofreading

Prewriting, drafting, revising, editing, and publishing

Julia is writing an essay about the influence of technology on interpersonal relationships. Which of the following sentences would NOT be a relevant supporting detail?

• Studies show that the more teenagers engage in social media, the less they engage with their peers.

• College students are increasingly using AI chat bots to check their grammar.

• Use of technology such as smartphones can lead to a lack of engagement in conversations.

• A survey found that over half of families believe watching TV together improves their connection.

College students are increasingly using AI chat bots to check their grammar.

Which of the following transitional words or phrases can be used to indicate contrast? (Select all that apply.)

• Regardless

• Furthermore

• Subsequently

• Similarly

• On the other hand

• Moreover

Regardless, On the other hand,

Which of the following sentences uses proper capitalization?

• Last Summer, my family went on a trip to Niagara Falls in New York.

• Last summer, my family went on a trip to niagara falls in New York.

• Last summer, my family went on a trip to Niagara Falls in New York.

• Last Summer, my family went on a trip to Niagara Falls in new york.

Last summer, my family went on a trip to Niagara Falls in New York.

summer is not a proper noun, but Niagara Falls and New York are proper nouns and require capitalization.

The following words share a common Greek-based suffix: anthropology, biology, cosmetology, etymology, and genealogy. What is the most likely meaning of the suffix -logy?

• Record

• Study

• Fear

• Technique

Study

Which of the answer choices best combines the following four sentences into two sentences?

I’m usually good about keeping track of my keys. I lost them. I spent hours looking for them. I found them in the freezer.

• I lost my keys, even though I’m usually good about keeping track of them. I found them in the freezer and spent hours looking for them.

• I spent hours looking for my keys and found them in the freezer. I had lost them, even though I’m usually good about keeping track of them.

• I’m usually good about keeping track of my keys, but I lost them. After spending hours looking for them, I found them in the freezer.

• I’m usually good about keeping track of my keys, but I lost them in the freezer. I had to spend hours looking for them.

I’m usually good about keeping track of my keys, but I lost them. After spending hours looking for them, I found them in the freezer.

Which of the following suffixes is NOT commonly used to form a noun from some other part of speech?

• –ation

• –ness

• –ity

• –ize

-ize

Which of the answer choices is an effective revision of the ambiguous sentence below?

Tanya told her sister to tell her boyfriend Joe to call her as soon as he got home.

• “Tanya,” said her sister, “Tell Joe to call your boyfriend as soon as Joe gets home.”

• Her sister told her boyfriend Joe to call Tanya as soon as she got home.

• Tanya’s sister was told by her, “Joe should call me as soon as he gets home.”

• Tanya said to her sister, “Tell your boyfriend Joe to call me as soon as he gets home.”

Tanya said to her sister, “Tell your boyfriend Joe to call me as soon as he gets home.”

Which of the following sentences shows the correct way to separate the items in the series?

• These are actual cities in the United States: Unalaska, Alaska; Yreka, California; Two Egg, Florida; and Boring, Maryland.

• These are actual cities in the United States: Unalaska; Alaska, Yreka; California, Two Egg; Florida, and Boring; Maryland.

• These are actual cities in the United States: Unalaska, Alaska, Yreka, California, Two Egg, Florida, and Boring, Maryland.

• These are actual cities in the United States: Unalaska Alaska, Yreka California, Two Egg Florida, and Boring Maryland.

These are actual cities in the United States: Unalaska, Alaska; Yreka, California; Two Egg, Florida; and Boring, Maryland.

“My dear,” she told her sister in a high, mincing shout, “most of these fellas will cheat you every time. All they think of is money. I had a woman up here last week to look at my feet, and when she gave me the bill you’d of thought she had my appendicitis out.”

 

Which of the following literary devices is present in the excerpt?

• Personification

• Synecdoche

• Metaphor

• Colloquialism

Colloquialism

The informal phrases and words in this excerpt are an example of colloquialism.

The word capacity functions as which part of speech in the following sentence?

Irish politician Constance Markiewicz was the first woman elected to the British House of Commons, but she never served in that capacity due to her activity in forming the Irish Republic.

• Verb

• Noun

• Adverb

• Pronoun

Noun

The word capacity is a noun because it is a thing, so choice B is correct.

What does the prefix circum- mean in the word circumference?

• Beyond

• After

• Around

• Before

Around

Which of the following sentences demonstrates the correct use of an apostrophe?

• Lyle works for the courthouse, and among his responsibilities is getting the jurors meal’s.

• Lyle works for the courthouse, and among his responsibilities is getting the juror’s meals.

• Lyle works for the courthouse, and among his responsibilities is getting the jurors’ meals.

• Lyle works for the courthouse, and among his responsibilities is getting the jurors meals’.

Lyle works for the courthouse, and among his responsibilities is getting the jurors’ meals.

When a plural word is made possessive, the standard rule is to place the apostrophe after the final s, as in jurors’.

within the transition sentence of a paragraph?

• In the same way

• Research proves that

• Another reason for this is

• As a result

Research proves that

Transition sentences signal to the reader that a new paragraph with a different focus is about to begin.

Which of the following sentences contain proper subject-verb agreement? (Select all that apply.)

• Neither Jeanne nor Pauline like the dinner options on the menu.

• The issues that the council is discussing today concerns the local property tax rate.

• The faculty of the math department were unable to agree on the curriculum changes.

• Both Clara and Don feels that they need to be more proactive in checking on the contractors.

• If either Pablo or Julio is willing to accept the position, we will be fully staffed.

• The faculty of the math department were unable to agree on the curriculum changes.

• If either Pablo or Julio is willing to accept the position, we will be fully staffed.

hich of the following sentences represents a homophone error?

• Their decision to stay home was vindicated when they heard about what happened.

• Jane was given a prescription for aural paste to put on her mouth ulcers.

• The team from Cincinnati led the league in scoring last year.

• What effect will this new legislation have on hospital policy?

Jane was given a prescription for aural paste to put on her mouth ulcers.

The sentence in choice B incorrectly uses the word aural (meaning related to the ears) instead of oral . homophone = each of two or more words having the same pronunciation but different meanings, origins, or spelling, for example new and knew.

Which of the following words functions as a pronoun in the sentence below?

Anne-Charlotte and I will be driving together to the picnic this weekend.

• Be

• This

• Together

• I

I

pronouns are I, she, he, they, you, we

Which of the answer choices best explains the purpose of the parentheses in the sentence?

The Hapsburg rule of the Austro-Hungarian Empire effectively ended with the reign of Franz Joseph I (1848–1916).

• To offer brief commentary on the subject matter being discussed

• To modify or qualify the statement that came immediately before

• To identify information that was located using another source

• To set off useful information that does not fit the flow of the sentence

To set off useful information that does not fit the flow of the sentence

In the words proactive, progress, and projecting, pro- is a(n) _______ that means _______.

• suffix; good, on top of, or over

• prefix; before, forward, or front

• affix; after, behind, or in back of

• prefix; against, under, or below

prefix; before, forward, or front

Which of the following is a complex sentence?

• Milton’s favorite meal is spaghetti and meatballs, along with a side salad and garlic toast.

• Before Ernestine purchases a book, she always checks to see if the library has it.

• Desiree prefers warm, sunny weather, but her twin sister Destiny likes a crisp, cold day.

• Ethel, Ben, and Alice are working together on a school project about deteriorating dams.

Before Ernestine purchases a book, she always checks to see if the library has it.

In which of the following pairs of words does the second word include a suffix that gives the second word a different meaning from the first word in the pair?

• Fort; effort

• Mount; dismount

• Flee; fleeting

• Fame; famous

Fame, Famous

fame is a noun that refers to high popularity or awareness of a person, thing, or group. Famous is an adjective that refers to a person, thing, or group to describe them as having fame