TEAS® English Practice Test — Questions and Answers

Question 1: Which sentence is written correctly?

Since the professor was excessively boring; many of his students fell asleep.
Since the professor was excessively boring, many of his students fell asleep. (Correct answer)
Since the professor was excessively boring many of his students fell asleep.
Since the professor was, excessively boring, many of his students fell asleep.

Correct answer: Since the professor was excessively boring, many of his students fell asleep.

The sentence begins with a dependent clause, 'Since the professor was excessively boring.' When a dependent clause precedes an independent clause, it must be followed by a comma. Option B correctly places a comma after the introductory dependent clause, properly separating it from the main clause 'many of his students fell asleep.'

Question 2: The medical examiner was called in to perform a post-mortem examination. Which word from the sentence above is a noun?

medical
was
perform
examination (Correct answer)

Correct answer: examination

A noun is a word that names a person, place, thing, or idea. In the given sentence, 'examination' refers to a thing or concept (the act of examining). 'Medical' is an adjective, 'was' is a verb, and 'perform' is a verb. Therefore, 'examination' is the noun.

Question 3: The postman came to the house. He has a letter for my mother. I heard the doorbell ring. I took the letter from the postman. To improve sentence fluency, how could you state the information above in a single sentence?

When I heard the doorbell ring, I took the letter for my mother from the postman who had come to the house. (Correct answer)
Having had a letter for my mother, the postman came to the house, where I heard the doorbell ring and took the letter from him.
Coming to the house with a letter for my mother, the postman rang the doorbell, which I heard, and so I took the letter from him.
When I heard the doorbell ring, I took the letter from the postman for my mother, who had come to the house.

Correct answer: When I heard the doorbell ring, I took the letter for my mother from the postman who had come to the house.

Option A effectively combines all the information into a single, coherent sentence by using a temporal clause ('When I heard the doorbell ring') to establish the sequence of events. It clearly links the action of hearing the doorbell to taking the letter from the postman, and correctly identifies the postman as the one who came to the house with the letter for the mother. The other options either introduce awkward phrasing or alter the original meaning.

Question 4: _______ confident that with enough study they can easily pass the final exam. Which of the following correctly completes the sentence above?

They have
There
Their
They’re (Correct answer)

Correct answer: They’re

The sentence requires a contraction for 'they are' to correctly form the subject and verb phrase 'they are confident.' 'They’re' is the correct contraction for 'they are.' 'Their' is a possessive pronoun, 'There' indicates a place, and 'They have' is grammatically incorrect in this context.

Question 5: Of the _ items available to purchase in our neighbor’s __ sale, the jewelry was the most valuable. Which of the following correctly completes the sentence above?

miscellaneous; garrage
miscellaneous; garage (Correct answer)
miscelaneous; garage
miscelaneous; garrage

Correct answer: miscellaneous; garage

This question tests correct spelling. The word 'miscellaneous' is spelled M-I-S-C-E-L-L-A-N-E-O-U-S, and 'garage' is spelled G-A-R-A-G-E. Option B is the only choice that correctly spells both 'miscellaneous' and 'garage'.

Question 6: The mountaineering group _____ looking forward to climbing K2 next year. Which of the following correctly completes the sentence above?

is (Correct answer)
are
be
were

Correct answer: is

The subject of the sentence is 'The mountaineering group.' 'Group' is a collective noun, and in this context, it refers to the group acting as a single, cohesive unit. Therefore, it requires a singular verb. 'Is' is the correct singular present tense verb that agrees with the singular subject 'group'.

Question 7: Don’t let anyone tell you what you can and cannot do. What kind of sentence is this?

Interrogative
Imperative (Correct answer)
Exclamatory
Declarative

Correct answer: Imperative

An imperative sentence gives a command or makes a request, and often has an implied subject 'you.' In this sentence, 'Don’t let anyone tell you...' is a direct command. Therefore, it is an imperative sentence.

Question 8: The admissions consultant outlined what makes a thorough application package, unrespective of financial hardship. What is the error in this sentence?

consultant
thorough
package
unrespective (Correct answer)

Correct answer: unrespective

The word 'unrespective' is not a standard English word. The correct term to use in this context, meaning 'without regard to' or 'regardless of,' is 'irrespective.' This makes 'unrespective' the error in the sentence.

Question 9: Which of the following sentences is grammatically correct?

He could accept anything from her, accept a lie.
He could except anything from her, accept a lie.
He could accept anything from her, except a lie. (Correct answer)
He could except anything from her, except a lie.

Correct answer: He could accept anything from her, except a lie.

This sentence correctly uses 'accept' and 'except.' 'Accept' means to receive or agree to something, while 'except' means 'but for' or 'excluding.' In this context, the person would receive anything, excluding a lie, making the usage grammatically sound.

Question 10: Personal accounts of Emma Amanda suggest that she was a woman of courage, integrity, and she was intelligent. Which collection of words would improve this statement the most?

courage, integrity, and intelligence. (Correct answer)
courage, had integrity, and was intelligent.
courage, integrity, and she was intelligent.
courage, integrity, and intelligent.

Correct answer: courage, integrity, and intelligence.

The original sentence lacks parallel structure in its list of qualities. To maintain consistency, all items in a list should be in the same grammatical form. Changing 'she was intelligent' to the noun 'intelligence' creates a parallel structure with 'courage' and 'integrity,' improving the sentence's flow and grammatical correctness.

Question 11: Choose the appropriate word or words to fill in the blank in the next sentence. _________ the best friends to have.

They're (Correct answer)
They is
There
Their

Correct answer: They're

The blank requires a contraction for 'they are.' 'They're' is the correct contraction for 'they are,' fitting the sentence structure 'They are the best friends to have.' 'There' refers to a place, and 'their' is a possessive pronoun, neither of which fits the context.

Question 12: Smithco’s quarterly report indicated that sales were falling, the same report showed a growth in net income. Which set of words would improve the beginning of this statement the most?

Smithco's quarterly growth in earnings report showed that sales were falling,
Although Smithco's quarterly report indicated that sales were falling, (Correct answer)
Before Smithco's quarterly report indicated that sales were falling,
Smithco's quarterly report indicating that sales were falling,

Correct answer: Although Smithco's quarterly report indicated that sales were falling,

The original sentence presents two contrasting ideas: falling sales and growing net income. The conjunction 'Although' effectively introduces a subordinate clause that expresses a concession, highlighting this contrast. This creates a more logical and sophisticated connection between the two parts of the sentence.

Question 13: Choose the appropriate word or words to fill in the blank in the next sentence. _____ went to the movies last weekend.

Her and me
She and I (Correct answer)
She and me
Her and I

Correct answer: She and I

When pronouns are part of a compound subject, they should be in the subjective case. 'She' and 'I' are subjective pronouns, correctly performing the action of the verb 'went.' You would say 'She went' and 'I went,' not 'Her went' or 'Me went.'

Question 14: Coming up on stage, the speaker announced the start of the event. Which revision of this sentence is the best?

The speaker announced, coming up on stage
The speaker coming up on stage announced
Coming up, the speaker, on stage announced
No revision necessary (Correct answer)

Correct answer: No revision necessary

The sentence is grammatically correct and clear as written. The introductory participial phrase 'Coming up on stage' correctly modifies 'the speaker,' indicating who performed the action. There is no dangling modifier or awkward phrasing, so no revision is necessary.

Question 15: Choose the appropriate word or words to fill in the blank in the next sentence. The student felt that the final exam was ________ than the mid term.

more hard
harder (Correct answer)
hardest
most hardest

Correct answer: harder

When comparing two items (the final exam and the midterm), the comparative form of the adjective is required. 'Harder' is the correct comparative form of 'hard.' 'More hard' is grammatically incorrect, and 'hardest' is the superlative form used for three or more items.

Question 16: Steve and Joan had to work late so that they would finish their project on time. The following words would appear if the phrase was changed to start with "Tomorrow night:"

their project will have been
their project had to be on time
Steve and Joan will have to (Correct answer)
their work will have been

Correct answer: Steve and Joan will have to

Changing the sentence to start with 'Tomorrow night' shifts the tense from past ('had to work') to future. The phrase 'will have to' correctly expresses a future obligation or necessity, aligning with the future time frame indicated by 'Tomorrow night.'

Question 17: Choose the appropriate word or words to fill in the blank in the next sentence. The child has always been afraid of _________ to the dentist.

go
have gone
to go
going (Correct answer)

Correct answer: going

The preposition 'of' is typically followed by a gerund (the -ing form of a verb used as a noun) when referring to an action. In this sentence, 'going' functions as the object of the preposition 'of,' correctly completing the phrase 'afraid of going.'

Question 18: Which revision of this sentence would be most effective?. If your payment is not received within the next two weeks, you will be assessed a late fee.

two weeks, you have been assessed
No revision necessary (Correct answer)
two weeks, you would be assessed
two weeks, you were assessed

Correct answer: No revision necessary

The sentence is grammatically correct and uses the appropriate conditional tense. The 'if' clause (present tense: 'is not received') correctly sets up the consequence in the future tense ('will be assessed'). This structure clearly expresses a future condition and its result.

Question 19: Kimberly's son, for which my friends bought gifts, is having a graduation party Which revision of this sentence would be most effective?

son, for whom my friends bought (Correct answer)

Correct answer: son, for whom my friends bought

The pronoun 'which' refers to things or animals, while 'whom' refers to people and is used as the object of a preposition or verb. In this sentence, 'son' is a person, and 'whom' is the object of the preposition 'for,' making 'for whom' the grammatically correct choice.

Question 20: Whether to fire an employee is one of managements hardest decisions. Which part of this statement needs to be revised?

change managements to Managements
replace Whether with Weather
change managements to management's (Correct answer)
insert a comma after fire

Correct answer: change managements to management's

The word 'managements' is used incorrectly here. To show possession (decisions belonging to management), an apostrophe is needed. 'Management's' is the correct possessive form of the singular noun 'management.'

Question 21: Our training helps you find a work in a wide range of industries, including medical computer technology, and law enforcement. Which part of this statement needs to be revised?

insert a comma after criminal
insert a comma after nursing (Correct answer)
insert a comma after job
remove the comma after industries

Correct answer: insert a comma after nursing

The question implies a list of industries. For clarity and proper parallel structure in a list of three or more items, commas are used to separate each item. If 'nursing' were part of the list, a comma after it would be necessary to separate it from the subsequent item, 'computer technology.'

TEAS® English Practice Test

Which sentence is written correctly?