ESL Language Use Practice Test for the ACCUPLACER® test 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Jacques Cousteau is most known for his inventions and _______________ to marine science.
- being dedicated
- dedication
- his being dedicated
- his dedication (Correct answer)
Correct answer: his dedication
The sentence requires parallel structure to match the phrase "his inventions." "His dedication" uses a possessive pronoun ("his") followed by a noun ("dedication"), mirroring the grammatical construction of "his inventions." This ensures consistency and clarity in the sentence, making option D the most appropriate choice.
Question 2: Marriane hung her sweater to dry ______________ washing it.
- By
- Until
- After (Correct answer)
- Before
Correct answer: After
The action of hanging a sweater to dry logically occurs subsequent to the act of washing it. Therefore, the preposition "after" correctly indicates the chronological sequence of these two events. Options like "before" or "until" would imply an illogical order of actions.
Question 3: Some day women and men _____________ to Mars
- will travelling
- will travelled
- will travel (Correct answer)
- will travels
Correct answer: will travel
The phrase "some day" indicates a future event, requiring the use of the simple future tense. This tense is correctly formed by combining the auxiliary verb "will" with the base form of the main verb, which is "travel." Therefore, "will travel" accurately expresses an action expected to occur in the future.
Question 4: At a temperature of 0 degrees Celsius, water ___________.
- freeze
- freezes (Correct answer)
- having frozen
- freezing
Correct answer: freezes
This sentence describes a scientific fact or a general truth, which requires the use of the simple present tense. For a singular, non-human subject like "water," the verb in the simple present tense takes an "-es" ending. Thus, "freezes" correctly conveys this universal phenomenon.
Question 5: ___________ children learn to read, they are introduced to a whole new world of possibilities and experiences.
- Until
- Before
- After (Correct answer)
- Since
Correct answer: After
The sentence describes a sequence of events where gaining new possibilities and experiences follows the act of learning to read. The conjunction "after" correctly establishes this chronological relationship, indicating that one event occurs subsequent to the other. Options like "before" or "until" would create an illogical sequence.
Question 6: When _____________ get to the lodging?
- are we
- have we
- will we (Correct answer)
- did we
Correct answer: will we
The question asks about an anticipated arrival at the lodging, indicating a future event. The auxiliary verb "will" is used to form questions in the simple future tense, correctly asking about an action that has not yet occurred. Therefore, "will we" is the appropriate choice for this future-oriented inquiry.
Question 7: My parents were _____________ when I remained out beyond my curfew last night because they always insist that I get a good night's sleep.
- very relieved
- very tired
- very angry (Correct answer)
- very happy
Correct answer: very angry
The context states that the parents "always insist that I get a good night's sleep," implying a strict rule about curfew. Staying out beyond curfew would directly violate this rule and their expectations. Therefore, "very angry" is the most logical emotional response for parents in this situation, reflecting their displeasure at the rule being broken.
Question 8: Because men and women are different, they have difficulty understanding each other because _____________ different.
- they communicated
- they communicate (Correct answer)
- they communicates
- they have communicated
Correct answer: they communicate
The sentence describes a general truth about communication differences between men and women, requiring the simple present tense. "They communicate" correctly uses the base form of the verb for the plural subject "they," maintaining grammatical consistency with the preceding clause and accurately describing a habitual or ongoing action.
Question 9: Galileo is well-known _________ that the Earth revolves around the sun, not the other way around.
- for discovery
- in discovering (Correct answer)
- for having discovered
- his discovery
Correct answer: in discovering
The phrase "well-known in" can be used to specify the particular field or activity for which someone is recognized. In this context, "in discovering" indicates that Galileo's fame stems from his significant contribution within the act or process of uncovering the truth about the Earth's orbit. This phrasing emphasizes the domain of his renown, making it a suitable choice.
Question 10: Samantha was ______________ when she received a nearly perfect score in a gymnastics competition since she had worked so hard.
- victorious
- disappointed
- thrilled (Correct answer)
- tired
Correct answer: thrilled
Receiving a nearly perfect score in a competition, especially after working diligently, is a significant achievement. The word "thrilled" accurately conveys the intense positive emotion of extreme pleasure and excitement that one would feel in response to such a successful outcome. The other options do not fit the context of a highly positive result.
Question 11: You have more opportunities to meet new friends _______________ can speak more than one language.
- As you
- Though you
- So you
- When you (Correct answer)
Correct answer: When you
The sentence establishes a conditional relationship: having more opportunities to meet friends is dependent on speaking multiple languages. The conjunction "when" correctly introduces this condition, implying "if you" or "at the time that you" can speak more than one language. This creates a logical and grammatically sound connection between the two clauses.
Question 12: "We __________ to produce food and other basics for the first six days of the week."
- working hard
- worked harder
- work hard (Correct answer)
- worked hard
Correct answer: work hard
The phrase "for the first six days of the week" indicates a regular, habitual action or a routine. Therefore, the simple present tense is required to describe this ongoing activity. "Work hard" correctly uses the simple present tense for the plural subject "we," accurately conveying a recurring action.
Question 13: "Are you sure you don't want to __________ before we leave?"
- ate
- eaten
- eating
- eat (Correct answer)
Correct answer: eat
The phrase "want to" is followed by an infinitive verb, which is the base form of the verb. In this case, "eat" is the correct base form. Options like "ate," "eaten," or "eating" are incorrect verb forms to follow "want to" in this construction.
Question 14: "Many parents use Child Benefit income to __________ their entire household budget."
- support (Correct answer)
- supporting
- support as
Correct answer: support
The phrase "to" preceding the blank indicates an infinitive of purpose, which requires the base form of the verb. "Support" is the correct base form, indicating the action parents take with the Child Benefit income. "Supporting" is a gerund and "support as" is grammatically incorrect in this context.
Question 15: "Subtitles are typically shown for the __________ of those who do not understand Latin."
- beneficiary
- hindrance
- disadvantage
- benefit (Correct answer)
Correct answer: benefit
Subtitles are provided to assist viewers in understanding content, especially when they don't comprehend the original language. Therefore, they are shown for the "benefit" or advantage of those individuals. "Benefit" correctly expresses this positive purpose, while the other options are either grammatically incorrect or convey the opposite meaning.
Question 16: "The hospital received a 54-year-old man patient with __________ pneumonia."
- worsening (Correct answer)
- worsen
- worst
Correct answer: worsening
The sentence requires an adjective to describe the pneumonia as an ongoing condition that is deteriorating. "Worsening" is a present participle functioning as an adjective, accurately conveying that the pneumonia is in the process of becoming more severe. "Worsen" is a verb and "worst" is a superlative adjective, neither of which fits the grammatical or contextual need here.
Question 17: "She will __________ with a computer science engineering degree this June."
- be graduating (Correct answer)
- have graduation
- be graduate
- have graduating
Correct answer: be graduating
The phrase "this June" indicates a specific point in the future when an action will be in progress. The future continuous tense, formed with "will be" followed by the present participle (verb + -ing), is used to describe actions that will be ongoing at a particular future time. Therefore, "be graduating" correctly expresses this planned future event.
Question 18: "He __________ in conversation, but when it slowed down, he looked at her suspiciously."
- will participate
- participated (Correct answer)
- participates
Correct answer: participated
The second clause of the sentence, "when it slowed down, he looked at her suspiciously," uses verbs in the simple past tense. To maintain consistent tense throughout the sentence, the first verb describing his action in the conversation must also be in the simple past tense. "Participated" correctly uses the simple past tense, indicating a completed action in the past.
Question 19: "Nearly half of all marketers say Twitter is their go-to network for __________ customers, according to social media statistics."
- engaging to
- engage to
- engaging with
The preposition "for" is typically followed by a gerund (verb + -ing) when indicating purpose. Additionally, the verb "engage" commonly takes the preposition "with" when referring to interacting or connecting with people or entities. Therefore, "engaging with" is the correct and idiomatic phrase to describe the marketers' purpose.
Question 20: "The balance due must be paid on __________ October."
- enrollment in (Correct answer)
- enrolling in
- enrollment on
- enrolling on
Correct answer: enrollment in
The phrase "on enrollment" is an idiomatic expression indicating that payment is due at the time of registration. When specifying the month in which this enrollment occurs, the preposition "in" is used. Therefore, "on enrollment in October" correctly conveys that the payment is due at the point of enrollment, which takes place during the month of October.
Jacques Cousteau is most known for his inventions and _______________ to marine science.