General Knowledge

English Language Skills Subtest

Test Format and Sample Questions

The English Language Skills subtest is 40 minutes long and consists of approximately 30 multiple-choice questions.

Each of the questions in this section will contain three or four response options. You will choose the best response out of the available options, and indicate A, B, C, or D.

The table below presents types of questions on the exam and directs you to examples of these formats among the sample items that follow.

Table of Question Formats

Type of Question	Sample Question
Command Select the best response option.	Question 1
Sentence Completion Select the response option that best completes the sentence.	Question 2
Passage Read the passage and select the correct answer.	Question 16
Direct Question Choose the response option that best answers the question.	Question 23

Sample Questions

The following questions represent both the form and content of questions on the examination. These questions will acquaint you with the general format of the examination; however, these sample questions do not cover all of the competencies and skills that are tested and will only approximate the degree of examination difficulty.

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English Language Skills Subtest

Competency 1—Knowledge of language structure

DIRECTIONS: Choose the sentence in which the modifiers are correctly placed.

Choose an answer

1. While protesting the Vietnam War, clashes between Chicago police and demonstrators resulted in over 175 arrests at the Democratic National Convention.
2. While protesting the Vietnam War, Chicago police arrested over 175 demonstrators during clashes at the Democratic National Convention.
3. While protesting the Vietnam War, over 175 demonstrators were arrested for clashing with Chicago police at the Democratic National Convention.
4. While protesting the Vietnam War and clashing with the Chicago police, over 175 demonstrators were arrested.

AnswerEnter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded

Correct Response: C.

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English Language Skills Subtest

Competency 1—Knowledge of language structure

DIRECTIONS: Choose the correct word or phrase that provides parallel structure to the sentence.

My cousin mowed the lawn, washed the family cars, cleaned the upstairs bathroom, and __________ blank  on the sofa afterwards to watch the basketball game.

Choose an answer

1. he collapsed
2. he was able to collapse
3. collapsed
4. was collapsing

AnswerEnter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded

Correct Response: C.

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English Language Skills Subtest

Competency 1—Knowledge of language structure

DIRECTIONS: Choose the option that corrects an error in the underlined portion(s). If no error exists, choose "No change is necessary."

If none of these positions appeals to you, don't  start underline despair, theredespair comma there end underline  will always be tomorrow's help-wanted ads to investigate.

Choose an answer

1. despair there despair there 
2. despair. There despair period There 
3. despair; there, despair semicolon there comma 
4. No change is necessary.

AnswerEnter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded

Correct Response: B.

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English Language Skills Subtest

Competency 1—Knowledge of language structure

DIRECTIONS: Choose the sentence in which the modifiers are correctly placed.

Choose an answer

1. After working out all morning, the nap was rejuvenating.
2. After working out all morning, I was rejuvenated by the nap.
3. The nap, after working out all morning, was rejuvenating.

AnswerEnter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded

Correct Response: B.

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English Language Skills Subtest

Competency 1—Knowledge of language structure

DIRECTIONS: Choose the sentence in which the modifiers are correctly placed.

Choose an answer

1. After locking the door, the thermostat was turned down by Grandfather who retired at midnight.
2. Retiring at midnight, the door was locked and the thermostat was turned down by Grandfather.
3. After locking the door and turning down the thermostat, Grandfather retired at midnight.

AnswerEnter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded

Correct Response: C.

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English Language Skills Subtest

Competency 1—Knowledge of language structure

DIRECTIONS: Choose the sentence in which the modifiers are correctly placed.

Choose an answer

1. Native home to birds and alligators, the juxtaposition at Kennedy Space Center of the sophisticated space shuttle with marshlands may strike an observer as almost contradictory.
2. At Kennedy Space Center, the juxtaposition of the sophisticated space shuttle with marshlands that are home to birds and alligators may strike an observer as almost contradictory.
3. Almost contradictory, an observer may be struck by the juxtaposition at Kennedy Space Center of the sophisticated space shuttle with marshlands that are home to birds and alligators.

AnswerEnter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded

Correct Response: B.

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English Language Skills Subtest

Competency 1—Knowledge of language structure

DIRECTIONS: Choose the sentence in which the modifiers are correctly placed.

Choose an answer

1. While working in the garden and wearing gloves, my hands blistered.
2. Even though I wore gloves as I worked in the garden, my hands blistered.
3. My hands blistered, even with my gloves working in the garden.

AnswerEnter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded

Correct Response: B.

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English Language Skills Subtest

Competency 1—Knowledge of language structure

DIRECTIONS: Choose the sentence in which the modifiers are correctly placed.

Choose an answer

1. As a freshman in college, good study habits must be developed by Susan.
2. As a freshman in college, Susan must develop good study habits.
3. As a freshman in college, developing good study habits is important for Susan.

AnswerEnter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded

Correct Response: B.

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English Language Skills Subtest

Competency 1—Knowledge of language structure

DIRECTIONS: Choose the sentence in which the modifiers are correctly placed.

Choose an answer

1. Under the bed I found the missing pizza.
2. I found the missing pizza under the bed.
3. The missing pizza was found by me under the bed.
4. Under the bed, the missing piece of pizza was found by me.

AnswerEnter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded

Correct Response: B.

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English Language Skills Subtest

Competency 1—Knowledge of language structure

DIRECTIONS: Choose the sentence in which the modifiers are correctly placed.

Choose an answer

1. Thomas, with a degree in communications, works in the press office of a state agency.
2. Thomas works in the press office of a state agency with a degree in communications.
3. Thomas works in the press office with a degree in communications for a state agency.

AnswerEnter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded

Correct Response: A.

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English Language Skills Subtest

Competency 1—Knowledge of language structure

DIRECTIONS: Choose the sentence that contains parallel structure.

Choose an answer

1. Most serious bicyclists ride because they can get exercise, save on gas, and parking is never a problem.
2. Most serious bicyclists ride because they can get exercise, save on gas, and park without a problem.
3. Most serious bicyclists ride because they can get exercise, saving on gas, and park without a problem.

AnswerEnter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded

Correct Response: B.

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English Language Skills Subtest

Competency 1—Knowledge of language structure

DIRECTIONS: Choose the option that corrects an error in the underlined portion(s). If no error exists, choose "No change is necessary."

Nestled deep in the North Woods of Michigan, guarding the Wisconsin border, is the great Gogebic  start underline Range. RepositoryRange period Repository end underline  of some of the most extensive North American iron ore deposits mined until 1966.

Choose an answer

1. Range, repository Range comma repository 
2. Range; repository Range semicolon repository 
3. Range: repository Range colon repository 
4. No change is necessary.

AnswerEnter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded

Correct Response: A.

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English Language Skills Subtest

Competency 1—Knowledge of language structure

DIRECTIONS: Choose the option that corrects an error in the underlined portion(s). If no error exists, choose "No change is necessary."

The self-image of the current  start underline age as expressed in its art,age as expressed in its art comma end underline  continues to document its defeat.

Choose an answer

1. age, as expressed in its art. age comma as expressed in its art period 
2. age as, expressed in its art, age as comma expressed in its art comma 
3. age, as expressed in its art, age comma as expressed in its art comma 
4. No change is necessary.

AnswerEnter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded

Correct Response: C.

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English Language Skills Subtest

Competency 1—Knowledge of language structure

DIRECTIONS: Choose the option that corrects an error in the underlined portion(s). If no error exists, choose "No change is necessary."

The new mayor strode confidently to the  start underline podium, among podium comma among  end underline  the well-wishers stood not only his friends and colleagues but also his opponent and her family.

Choose an answer

1. podium. Among podium period Among 
2. podium and, among podium and comma among 
3. podium and among
4. No change is necessary.

AnswerEnter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded

Correct Response: A.

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English Language Skills Subtest

Competency 1—Knowledge of language structure

DIRECTIONS: Choose the option that corrects an error in the underlined portion(s). If no error exists, choose "No change is necessary."

The movie American Beauty, which won the Academy Award for Best, start underline, Picture comma was, end underline A, well, start underline, made but, end underline B, should not have, start underline, won The Green Mile, end underline C, was a better Picture.

Choose an answer

1. Picture; was picture semi colon was 
2. made, but made comma but 
3. won; The Green Mile won semicolon The Green Mile 
4. No change is necessary.

AnswerEnter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded

Correct Response: C.

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English Language Skills Subtest

Competency 1—Knowledge of language structure

DIRECTIONS: Read the entire passage carefully and then answer the question

¹sentence 1Daniel Shays was a militia captain during the American Revolution. ²sentence 2When there was no relief from increasingly onerous tax policies, Shays led a rebellious group in a series of attacks on government installations. ³sentence 3Although the rebellion was technically a failure, it frightened many politicians and led directly to the ratification of the Constitution.

Which is the best placement for the following sentence to make the sequence of ideas in the paragraph clearer?

Following the war, he and many others endured severe financial hardships, largely due to excessive taxation to pay off war debts.

Choose an answer

1. immediately before sentence 1
2. immediately after sentence 1
3. immediately before sentence 3
4. immediately after sentence 3

AnswerEnter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded

Correct Response: B.

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English Language Skills Subtest

Competency 1—Knowledge of language structure

DIRECTIONS: Read the entire passage carefully and then answer the question.

¹sentence 1Carl had always been a bright student. ²sentence 2He was the first in his class to read and write, and later he showed a talent for foreign languages. ³sentence 3Through his work with the company, he found a practical outlet for his language skills.

Which is the best placement for the following sentence to make the sequence of ideas in the paragraph clearer?

When he graduated, Carl went on to work for a company with international offices.

Choose an answer

1. immediately before sentence 1
2. immediately after sentence 1
3. immediately before sentence 3
4. immediately after sentence 3

AnswerEnter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded

Correct Response: C.

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English Language Skills Subtest

Competency 1—Knowledge of language structure

DIRECTIONS: Read the entire passage carefully and then answer the question.

¹sentence 1Charles Drew was a pioneering physician and medical researcher. ²sentence 2He helped design new techniques for blood storage and transfusions.³sentence 3During World War II, he designed the first large-scale blood banks.

Which is the best placement for the following sentence to make the sequence of ideas in the paragraph clearer?

These banks helped save thousands of wounded soldiers.

Choose an answer

1. immediately before sentence 1
2. immediately after sentence 1
3. immediately before sentence 3
4. immediately after sentence 3

AnswerEnter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded

Correct Response: D.

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English Language Skills Subtest

Competency 2—Knowledge of vocabulary application

DIRECTIONS: Choose the most effective word or phrase within the context suggested by the sentence.

Before they left work that day, they __________ blank the incident to the insurance company.

Choose an answer

1. renounced
2. relented
3. related
4. reserved

AnswerEnter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded

Correct Response: C.

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English Language Skills Subtest

Competency 2—Knowledge of vocabulary application

DIRECTIONS: Choose the option that corrects an error in the underlined portion(s). If no error exists, choose "No change is necessary."

start underline, Among, end underline A, the fifty dogs in the annual dog show, start underline, there, end underline B, start underline, are, end underline C, two poodles.

Choose an answer

1. Between
2. their
3. our
4. No change is necessary.

AnswerEnter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded

Correct Response: D.

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English Language Skills Subtest

Competency 2—Knowledge of vocabulary application

DIRECTIONS: Choose the appropriate word or expression to complete the sentence.

When the coach entered the locker room with a growl and a scowl, the team members could see that he was in ________blank mood.

Choose an answer

1. an uncooperative
2. a combative
3. an anxious
4. a gloomy

AnswerEnter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded

Correct Response: B.

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English Language Skills Subtest

Competency 2—Knowledge of vocabulary application

DIRECTIONS: Choose the most effective word or phrase within the context suggested by the sentence.

Roberta was ___________ blank  by the pattern of cigar-chomping piglets on her companion's tie, so she hoped the CEO would not be seated at their table.

Choose an answer

1. shamed
2. embarrassed
3. intrigued
4. fascinated

AnswerEnter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded

Correct Response: B.

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English Language Skills Subtest

Competency 2—Knowledge of vocabulary application

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

Which of the following means the same as the underlined words in the given sentence?

To support her contentions, in her speech she  start underline alluded to end underline  the presidential elections of 1972.

Choose an answer

1. broached
2. excerpted
3. referenced
4. contemplated

AnswerEnter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded

Correct Response: C.

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English Language Skills Subtest

Competency 2—Knowledge of vocabulary application

DIRECTIONS: Choose the most effective word or phrase within the context suggested by the sentence.

Rushing to beat the __________ blank  weather, the workers finished unloading the truck.

Choose an answer

1. related
2. precipitous
3. threatening

AnswerEnter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded

Correct Response: C.

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English Language Skills Subtest

Competency 2—Knowledge of vocabulary application

DIRECTIONS: Choose the option that corrects an error in the underlined portion(s). If no error exists, choose "No change is necessary."

On the, start underline, advice, end underline A, of the faculty council, the school will, start underline, precede, end underline B, with the implementation of the new curriculum, start underline, through, end underline C, the end of the school year.

Choose an answer

1. advise
2. proceed
3. threw
4. No change is necessary.

AnswerEnter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded

Correct Response: B.

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English Language Skills Subtest

Competency 2—Knowledge of vocabulary application

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

At a job interview, a candidate is asked to describe her career goals. Which of the following responses would be the most appropriate opening statement?

Choose an answer

1. First, let me thank you for taking the time out of your busy schedule to talk with me. It can be hard to get an interview these days.
2. My goals are to work in a stimulating environment where I can develop new skills, be productive, do important work, and advance my career.
3. Well, I have a lot of goals that are related to work and many that are not. Mostly I want to enjoy myself while earning enough money to live.
4. I know from other job experiences that I'm smarter than most people, so I want to advance rapidly, and maybe run my own business someday.

AnswerEnter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded

Correct Response: B.

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English Language Skills Subtest

Competency 2—Knowledge of vocabulary application

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

A college application essay instructs students to write an essay about a person who greatly influenced their lives. Which of the following responses would be the most appropriate opening statement for an essay?

Choose an answer

1. It's kind of hard to pick just one person who has helped me along the way—my brother and sister have taught me a lot.
2. What does influence mean? How many people will influence the direction of our lives as we grow from children to adults?
3. As I ponder upon the plethora of individuals who have shepherded my youth, the most poignant of these would be my father.
4. Many people have influenced my life in a positive way. Perhaps the most important though was my maternal grandmother.

AnswerEnter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded

Correct Response: D.

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English Language Skills Subtest

Competency 2—Knowledge of vocabulary application

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

Students have been given an assignment to write a humorous paper on one of their favorite activities. Which of the following responses would be the most appropriate opening statement for the paper?

Choose an answer

1. Hopefully, I can teach you about bird-watching in this paper.
2. While I enjoy many activities, my favorite activity is sleeping.
3. I like sports and bicycling and pretty much anything outdoors.
4. The activity to which I am most drawn is the noble pursuit of reading.

AnswerEnter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded

Correct Response: B.

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English Language Skills Subtest

Competency 2—Knowledge of vocabulary application

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

An office worker is leaving a note for an information technology specialist coworker requesting help with a computer problem. Which of the following would be the most appropriate opening statement for the note?

Choose an answer

1. I am getting more and more frustrated.
2. Help, my machine is going crazy again!
3. Jan, I'm having trouble loading the new application files.
4. Jan, perchance when you have a respite you could contact me.

AnswerEnter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded

Correct Response: C.

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English Language Skills Subtest

Competency 2—Knowledge of vocabulary application

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

The student council president of a high school is addressing the council on recommendations for remodeling the school library. Which of the following would be the most appropriate opening statement for the address?

Choose an answer

1. Remodeling the school library has always been a dream of mine.
2. We are here gathered on behalf of all who wish to remodel the school library.
3. Fellow students, deliberations on the school library have come before this august body.
4. Good afternoon; today we are here to discuss plans for remodeling our school library.

AnswerEnter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded

Correct Response: D.

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English Language Skills Subtest

Competency 2—Knowledge of vocabulary application

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

A parent is writing a note to the school office explaining his son's absence from school for several days for medical reasons. Which of the following would be the most appropriate opening statement for the note?

Choose an answer

1. Although he didn't see a doctor, it was clear that my son was not well.
2. Sometimes one must make difficult decisions, especially in regard to health issues.
3. My son contracted a bad cold last week, and I felt it was best he not attend school for his own sake and for the health of the other students.
4. My son's sore throat and fever indicated with abundant clarity that quarantining him indoors, at home, would be the only proper course of action.

AnswerEnter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded

Correct Response: C.

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English Language Skills Subtest

Competency 3—Knowledge of standard English conventions

DIRECTIONS: Choose the option that corrects an error in the underlined portion(s). If no error exists, choose "No change is necessary."

It was highly unlikely that he could pick up the medicine before the store, start underline, closed, end underline A. Just as he was walking to the front door, the store manager, start underline, sees, end underline B, him and, start underline, unlocked, end underline C, the door.

Choose an answer

1. closes
2. saw
3. unlocks
4. No change is necessary.

AnswerEnter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded

Correct Response: B.

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English Language Skills Subtest

Competency 3—Knowledge of standard English conventions

DIRECTIONS: Choose the option that corrects an error in the underlined portion(s). If no error exists, choose "No change is necessary."

The thick masses of plants, start underline, use, end underline A, up the oxygen and, start underline, chokes, end underline B, the fish. Other vegetation, start underline, dies, end underline C, from lack of sunlight.

Choose an answer

1. uses
2. choke
3. die
4. No change is necessary.

AnswerEnter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded

Correct Response: B.

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English Language Skills Subtest

Competency 3—Knowledge of standard English conventions

DIRECTIONS: Choose the option that corrects an error in the underlined portion(s). If no error exists, choose "No change is necessary."

Although Javier and, start underline, I, end underline A, have seen the movie before, start underline, it, end underline B, still makes, start underline, we, end underline C, laugh as much as ever.

Choose an answer

1. me
2. its
3. us
4. No change is necessary.

AnswerEnter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded

Correct Response: C.

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English Language Skills Subtest

Competency 3—Knowledge of standard English conventions

DIRECTIONS: Choose the option that corrects an error in the underlined portion(s). If no error exists, choose "No change is necessary."

These two brands of, start underline, inexpensive, end underline A, laundry detergent both performed, start underline, fantastic, end underline B, on those, start underline, terrible, end underline C, stains.

Choose an answer

1. inexpensively
2. fantastically
3. terribly
4. No change is necessary.

AnswerEnter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded

Correct Response: B.

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English Language Skills Subtest

Competency 3—Knowledge of standard English conventions

DIRECTIONS: Choose the option that corrects an error in the underlined portion(s). If no error exists, choose "No change is necessary."

As we drove by, start underline, uncle, in all lowercase letters, end underline A, George's house, I noticed that my, start underline, math, in all lowercase letters, end underline B, book was not in my backpack, so I asked my, start underline, sister, in all lowercase letters, end underline C, to turn the car around and go back to school.

Choose an answer

1. Uncle Uncle, with an initial capital letter 
2. Math Math, with an initial capital letter 
3. Sister Sister, with an initial capital letter 
4. No change is necessary.

AnswerEnter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded

Correct Response: A.

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English Language Skills Subtest

Competency 3—Knowledge of standard English conventions

DIRECTIONS: Choose the response that corrects an error in one of the underlined words.

If I had, start underline, known, end underline A, that they had, start underline, eaten, end underline B, earlier, I would not have, start underline, gone, end underline C, to the store to, start underline, bought, end underline D, food.

Choose an answer

1. knew
2. eating
3. went
4. buy

AnswerEnter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded

Correct Response: D.

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English Language Skills Subtest

Competency 3—Knowledge of standard English conventions

DIRECTIONS: Choose the option that corrects an error in the underlined portion(s). If no error exists, choose "No change is necessary."

Neither of my biology classes, start underline, is, end underline A, much fun this semester; one of them, start underline, requires, end underline B, too much reading, and a boring teacher in a hot room, start underline, ruin, end underline C, the other one.

Choose an answer

1. are
2. require
3. ruins
4. No change is necessary.

AnswerEnter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded

Correct Response: C.

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English Language Skills Subtest

Competency 3—Knowledge of standard English conventions

DIRECTIONS: Choose the option that corrects an error in the underlined portion(s). If no error exists, choose "No change is necessary."

The town lost, start underline, their, end underline a, welcome sign when strong winds blew, start underline, it, end underline b, down, so volunteers have donated, start underline, their, end underline C, time in order to erect a sign.

Choose an answer

1. its
2. them
3. his or her
4. No change is necessary.

AnswerEnter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded

Correct Response: A.

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English Language Skills Subtest

Competency 3—Knowledge of standard English conventions

DIRECTIONS: Choose the option that corrects an error in the underlined portion(s). If no error exists, choose "No change is necessary."

In education, students have been entertained for countless hours by the media, so  start underline he or she end underline  finds traditional learning methods slow and tedious.

Choose an answer

1. they find
2. he finds
3. one finds
4. No change is necessary.

AnswerEnter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded

Correct Response: A.

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English Language Skills Subtest

Competency 3—Knowledge of standard English conventions

DIRECTIONS: Choose the response that corrects the error of the underlined word.

Mr. Baku started each class by reciting one of  start underline their end underline  students' favorite poems.

Choose an answer

1. we
2. his
3. they
4. them

AnswerEnter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded

Correct Response: B.

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English Language Skills Subtest

Competency 3—Knowledge of standard English conventions

DIRECTIONS: Choose the option that corrects an error in the underlined portion(s). If no error exists, choose "No change is necessary."

The company's picnic is scheduled for next Saturday, and, start underline, it is, end underline A, open to all full-time and part-time and, start underline, its, end underline B, immediate family members. The chief executive officer has picked a variety of activities, and, start underline, she, end underline C, promises a day full of fun.

Choose an answer

1. they are
2. their
3. they
4. No change is necessary.

AnswerEnter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded

Correct Response: B.

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English Language Skills Subtest

Competency 3—Knowledge of standard English conventions

DIRECTIONS: Choose the option that corrects an error in the underlined portion. If no error exists, choose "No change is necessary."

The writing process allows students to experiment with ideas and discover  start underline his or her end underline  strengths.

Choose an answer

1. his
2. their
3. your
4. No change is necessary.

AnswerEnter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded

Correct Response: B.

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English Language Skills Subtest

Competency 3—Knowledge of standard English conventions

DIRECTIONS: Choose the option that corrects an error in the underlined portion(s). If no error exists, choose "No change is necessary."

The counselor said more time was needed to resolve the argument between my brother and, start underline, I, end underline A. start underline, She, end underline B, recommended that we make another appointment to see, start underline, her, end underline C.

Choose an answer

1. me
2. They
3. herself
4. No change is necessary.

AnswerEnter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded

Correct Response: A.

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English Language Skills Subtest

Competency 3—Knowledge of standard English conventions

DIRECTIONS: Choose the option that corrects an error in the underlined portion(s). If no error exists, choose "No change is necessary."

Cristy asked Janet and, start underline, I, end underline A, to run the marathon with, start underline, her, end underline B, but since we are much faster than, start underline, she, end underline c, is, we declined.

Choose an answer

1. me
2. she
3. her
4. No change is necessary.

AnswerEnter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded

Correct Response: A.

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English Language Skills Subtest

Competency 3—Knowledge of standard English conventions

DIRECTIONS: Choose the option that corrects an error in the underlined portion(s). If no error exists, choose "No change is necessary."

During the difficult Biology exam, Jeffery and, start underline, he, end underline A, nervously chewed bubble gum until Dr. Shuman told, start underline, them, end underline B, that, start underline, they, end underline C, needed to make less noise.

Choose an answer

1. him
2. they
3. them
4. No change is necessary.

AnswerEnter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded

Correct Response: D.

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English Language Skills Subtest

Competency 3—Knowledge of standard English conventions

DIRECTIONS: Choose the option that corrects an error in the underlined portion(s). If no error exists, choose "No change is necessary."

After Chris and, start underline, I, end underline A, watched a movie about ghosts, start underline, he, end underline B, and, start underline, I, end underline C, had a long discussion about the supernatural.

Choose an answer

1. me
2. him
3. me
4. No change is necessary.

AnswerEnter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded

Correct Response: D.

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English Language Skills Subtest

Competency 3—Knowledge of standard English conventions

DIRECTIONS: Choose the option that corrects an error in the underlined words. If no error exists, choose "No change is necessary."

I would like, start underline, them, end underline A, and, start underline, her, end underline B, to come with, start underline, I, end underline C, to the show.

Choose an answer

1. they
2. she
3. me
4. No change is necessary.

AnswerEnter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded

Correct Response: C.

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English Language Skills Subtest

Competency 3—Knowledge of standard English conventions

DIRECTIONS: Choose the option that corrects an error in the corresponding underlined words. If no error exists, choose "No change is necessary."

start underline, she, end underline A, instructed the team and, start underline, us, end underline B, to take only what was, start underline, our, end underline C.

Choose an answer

1. Her
2. we
3. ours
4. No change is necessary.

AnswerEnter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded

Correct Response: C.

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English Language Skills Subtest

Competency 3—Knowledge of standard English conventions

DIRECTIONS: Choose the option that corrects an error in the underlined portion(s). If no error exists, choose "No change is necessary."

A nervous breakdown and, start underline, increased, end underline A, psychosis to the point of, start underline, mental, end underline B, illness ended Brian Wilson's musical career, start underline, premature, end underline C.

Choose an answer

1. increasingly
2. mentally
3. prematurely
4. No change is necessary.

AnswerEnter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded

Correct Response: C.

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English Language Skills Subtest

Competency 3—Knowledge of standard English conventions

DIRECTIONS: Choose the option that corrects an error in the corresponding underlined words. If no error exists, choose "No change is necessary."

Despite searching, start underline, diligently, end underline A, I could not locate the, start underline, missing, end underline B, keys, start underline, nowhere, end underline C.

Choose an answer

1. diligent
2. missed
3. anywhere
4. No change is necessary.

AnswerEnter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded

Correct Response: C.

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English Language Skills Subtest

Competency 3—Knowledge of standard English conventions

DIRECTIONS: Choose the word or phrase that best completes the sentence.

Dennis writes ______ blank  than anyone else in the class.

Choose an answer

1. good
2. better
3. more better
4. best

AnswerEnter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded

Correct Response: B.

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English Language Skills Subtest

Competency 3—Knowledge of standard English conventions

DIRECTIONS: Choose the option that corrects an error in the underlined portion(s). If no error exists, choose "No change is necessary."

Nancy was pretty, but Maryann was the  start underline prettiest end underline  of the two.

Choose an answer

1. most pretty
2. more pretty
3. prettier
4. No change is necessary.

AnswerEnter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded

Correct Response: C.

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English Language Skills Subtest

Competency 3—Knowledge of standard English conventions

DIRECTIONS: Choose the option that corrects an error in the underlined portion(s). If no error exists, choose "No change is necessary."

Their running mates are likewise  start underline paralelp a r a l e l end underline .

Choose an answer

1. paralell p a r a l e l l 
2. parralel p a r r a l e l 
3. parallel p a r a l l e l 
4. No change is necessary.

AnswerEnter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded

Correct Response: C.

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English Language Skills Subtest

Competency 3—Knowledge of standard English conventions

DIRECTIONS: Choose the option that corrects an error in the underlined portion(s). If no error exists, choose "No change is necessary."

The, start underline, attendant, spelled a t t e n d a n t, end underline A, brought us the, start underline, filtered, spelled f i l t e r r e d, end underline B, water that, we, start underline, believed, spelled b e l i e v e d, end underline C, would enable us to complete our science project before our time ran out.

Choose an answer

1. attendent attendant, spelled a t t e n d e n t 
2. filtered filtered, spelled f i l t e r e d 
3. beleived believed, spelled b e l e i v e d 
4. No change is necessary.

AnswerEnter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded

Correct Response: B.

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English Language Skills Subtest

Competency 3—Knowledge of standard English conventions

DIRECTIONS: Choose the option that corrects an error in the underlined portion(s). If no error exists, choose "No change is necessary."

Workers in the space shuttle program have already developed long-term life-support, start underline, systems, spelled s y s t e m s, end underline A, and have immproved the design of space suits, the structure of habitat modules, and the, start underline, durability, spelled d u r a b i l i t y, end underline B, of, start underline, shields, spelled s h e i l d s, end underline C, that deflect radiation.

Choose an answer

1. sistems systems, s i s t e m s 
2. duribility durability, d u r i b i l i t y 
3. shields shields, s h i e l d s 
4. No change is necessary.

AnswerEnter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded

Correct Response: C.

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English Language Skills Subtest

Competency 3—Knowledge of standard English conventions

DIRECTIONS: Choose the option that corrects an error in the underlined portion(s). If no error exists, choose "No change is necessary."

The Grand Canyon is a, start underline, resplendent, spelled r e s p l e n d a n t, end underline A, natural, start underline, phenomenon, spelled p h e n o m e n o n, end underline B, extending all the way from Marble Gorge to the Grand Wash Cliffs, which is a, start underline, distance, spelled d i s t a n c e, end underline C, of more than 217 miles.

Choose an answer

1. resplendent resplendent, spelled r e s p l e n d e n t 
2. phenomena phenomena, spelled p h e n o m e n a 
3. distence distance, spelled d i s t e n c e 
4. No change is necessary.

AnswerEnter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded

Correct Response: A.

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English Language Skills Subtest

Competency 3—Knowledge of standard English conventions

DIRECTIONS: Choose the option that corrects an error in the underlined portion(s). If no error exists, choose "No change is necessary."

As the bailiff cries,  start underline "All rise," thedouble quotes All rise comma doubles quotes the end underline  black-robed judge strides purposefully to his place.

Choose an answer

1. 'All rise,' the single quote All rise comma single quote the 
2. "All rise", the double quotes All rise double quote comma the 
3. All rise, the All rise comma the 
4. No change is necessary.

AnswerEnter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded

Correct Response: D.

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English Language Skills Subtest

Competency 3—Knowledge of standard English conventions

DIRECTIONS: Choose the option that corrects an error in the underlined portion(s). If no error exists, choose "No change is necessary."

start underline, because the, end underline A, door to the changing shed was, start underline, broken Steve, end underline B, wasted precious time trying to find an, start underline, official as, end underline C, the other athletes jumped on their bicycles.

Choose an answer

1. Because, the Because comma the 
2. broken, Steve broken comma Steve 
3. official, as official comma as 
4. No change is necessary.

AnswerEnter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded

Correct Response: B.

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English Language Skills Subtest

Competency 3—Knowledge of standard English conventions

DIRECTIONS: Choose the sentence that is correctly punctuated.

Choose an answer

1. The students grades weren't posted, therefore, no one knew who made the highest score. The students grades weren't posted comma therefore comma no one knew who made the highest score. 
2. The students' grades weren't posted, therefore, no one knew who made the highest score. The students apostrophe grades weren't posted comma therefore comma no one knew who made the highest score. 
3. The students' grades weren't posted; therefore, no one knew who made the highest score. The students apostrophe grades weren't posted semicolon therefore comma no one knew who made the highest score. 
4. The students grades weren't posted; therefore, no one knew who made the highest score. The students grades weren't posted semicolon therefore comma no one knew who made the highest score. 

AnswerEnter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded

Correct Response: C.

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