Below is our second free ACCUPLACER Writing practice test. There are two primary skills that are measured by this test. The first is the ability to express ideas in writing through development, organization, and effective language use. The second is the understanding of standard English conventions such as sentence structure, usage, and punctuation. Get started on your test prep now with these free Accuplacer writing questions. Read the following passages and then choose the best answer to each question or the best completion of the statement.
Congratulations - you have completed .
You scored %%SCORE%% out of %%TOTAL%%.
Your performance has been rated as %%RATING%%
Your answers are highlighted below.
Question 1 |
(1) Conductors don’t often gets the recognition they deserve for the work they do in orchestral performances, mostly because casual audiences don’t always understand what they bring to a performance. (2) To an untrained audience, conductors look like people who simply flail about to the music on stage. (3) Even within the music industry, they don’t always get the respect they deserve. (4) Famed composer, Igor Stravinsky, once wrote that conductors “may well be less well equipped for [their] work than [their] players,” adding that “if you are incapable of listening, the conductor will show you what to feel.” (5) While not everyone in the music industry agrees with Stravinsky, there is no doubt that a great many people have no idea what a conductor contributes to the performance, even if they are not playing an instrument.
(6) In this way, conductors are extremely helpful to the orchestra. (7) The fact of the matter is, however, that conductors are an extremely important part of an orchestral performance. (8) In many ways, the conductor takes on the role of a coach for the performance. (9) In most sports a team could function without a coach if necessary, but it helps to have one to keep everyone on the same page and in the same rhythm. (10) The conductor keeps time and helps players make adjustments in the moment—which is extremely important in a musical importance, and great conductors do so while also connecting with the audience and engaging them in the performance. (11) The next time you see an orchestra performing, look at how hard the conductor is working and pay attention to the connection they have with their players. (12) Perhaps you’ll have a new appreciation for what they do.
(6) In this way, conductors are extremely helpful to the orchestra. (7) The fact of the matter is, however, that conductors are an extremely important part of an orchestral performance. (8) In many ways, the conductor takes on the role of a coach for the performance. (9) In most sports a team could function without a coach if necessary, but it helps to have one to keep everyone on the same page and in the same rhythm. (10) The conductor keeps time and helps players make adjustments in the moment—which is extremely important in a musical importance, and great conductors do so while also connecting with the audience and engaging them in the performance. (11) The next time you see an orchestra performing, look at how hard the conductor is working and pay attention to the connection they have with their players. (12) Perhaps you’ll have a new appreciation for what they do.
Which is the best version of the underlined portion of sentence 1 (reproduced below)?
Conductors don’t often gets the recognition they deserve for the work they do in orchestral performances, mostly because casual audiences don’t always understand what they bring to a performance.
(as it is now) | |
get | |
got | |
have gotten |
Question 1 Explanation:
Answer choice (B) is correct because the verb “to get” must agree with the subject “conductors.” “Get” is used with plural nouns and “gets” is used with singular nouns, so “get” is correct.
Question 2 |
(1) Conductors don’t often gets the recognition they deserve for the work they do in orchestral performances, mostly because casual audiences don’t always understand what they bring to a performance. (2) To an untrained audience, conductors look like people who simply flail about to the music on stage. (3) Even within the music industry, they don’t always get the respect they deserve. (4) Famed composer, Igor Stravinsky, once wrote that conductors “may well be less well equipped for [their] work than [their] players,” adding that “if you are incapable of listening, the conductor will show you what to feel.” (5) While not everyone in the music industry agrees with Stravinsky, there is no doubt that a great many people have no idea what a conductor contributes to the performance, even if they are not playing an instrument.
(6) In this way, conductors are extremely helpful to the orchestra. (7) The fact of the matter is, however, that conductors are an extremely important part of an orchestral performance. (8) In many ways, the conductor takes on the role of a coach for the performance. (9) In most sports a team could function without a coach if necessary, but it helps to have one to keep everyone on the same page and in the same rhythm. (10) The conductor keeps time and helps players make adjustments in the moment—which is extremely important in a musical importance, and great conductors do so while also connecting with the audience and engaging them in the performance. (11) The next time you see an orchestra performing, look at how hard the conductor is working and pay attention to the connection they have with their players. (12) Perhaps you’ll have a new appreciation for what they do.
(6) In this way, conductors are extremely helpful to the orchestra. (7) The fact of the matter is, however, that conductors are an extremely important part of an orchestral performance. (8) In many ways, the conductor takes on the role of a coach for the performance. (9) In most sports a team could function without a coach if necessary, but it helps to have one to keep everyone on the same page and in the same rhythm. (10) The conductor keeps time and helps players make adjustments in the moment—which is extremely important in a musical importance, and great conductors do so while also connecting with the audience and engaging them in the performance. (11) The next time you see an orchestra performing, look at how hard the conductor is working and pay attention to the connection they have with their players. (12) Perhaps you’ll have a new appreciation for what they do.
Which is the best decision regarding the underlined portion of sentence 5 (reproduced below)?
While not everyone in the music industry agrees with Stravinsky, there is no doubt that a great many people have no idea what a conductor contributes to the performance, even if they are not playing an instrument.
Leave it as it is now | |
Revise it to “without an instrument.” | |
Revise it to “regardless of their lack of an instrument.” | |
DELETE it and end the sentence with a period. |
Question 2 Explanation:
Answer choice (D) is correct because the end of the sentence is unnecessary. Although mentioning that conductors do not play an instrument adds a bit of information to the passage, the sentence is much less clunky without it.
Question 3 |
(1) Conductors don’t often gets the recognition they deserve for the work they do in orchestral performances, mostly because casual audiences don’t always understand what they bring to a performance. (2) To an untrained audience, conductors look like people who simply flail about to the music on stage. (3) Even within the music industry, they don’t always get the respect they deserve. (4) Famed composer, Igor Stravinsky, once wrote that conductors “may well be less well equipped for [their] work than [their] players,” adding that “if you are incapable of listening, the conductor will show you what to feel.” (5) While not everyone in the music industry agrees with Stravinsky, there is no doubt that a great many people have no idea what a conductor contributes to the performance, even if they are not playing an instrument.
(6) In this way, conductors are extremely helpful to the orchestra. (7) The fact of the matter is, however, that conductors are an extremely important part of an orchestral performance. (8) In many ways, the conductor takes on the role of a coach for the performance. (9) In most sports a team could function without a coach if necessary, but it helps to have one to keep everyone on the same page and in the same rhythm. (10) The conductor keeps time and helps players make adjustments in the moment—which is extremely important in a musical importance, and great conductors do so while also connecting with the audience and engaging them in the performance. (11) The next time you see an orchestra performing, look at how hard the conductor is working and pay attention to the connection they have with their players. (12) Perhaps you’ll have a new appreciation for what they do.
(6) In this way, conductors are extremely helpful to the orchestra. (7) The fact of the matter is, however, that conductors are an extremely important part of an orchestral performance. (8) In many ways, the conductor takes on the role of a coach for the performance. (9) In most sports a team could function without a coach if necessary, but it helps to have one to keep everyone on the same page and in the same rhythm. (10) The conductor keeps time and helps players make adjustments in the moment—which is extremely important in a musical importance, and great conductors do so while also connecting with the audience and engaging them in the performance. (11) The next time you see an orchestra performing, look at how hard the conductor is working and pay attention to the connection they have with their players. (12) Perhaps you’ll have a new appreciation for what they do.
Which is the most logical placement for sentence 6 (reproduced below)?
In this way, conductors are extremely helpful to the orchestra.
Where it is now | |
After sentence 9 | |
After sentence 3 | |
At the end of the passage |
Question 3 Explanation:
Answer choice (B) is correct because sentence 6 is suggesting that the sentence before it presents a way in which conductors are helpful. The sentence would only make sense after sentence 9.
Question 4 |
(1) Conductors don’t often gets the recognition they deserve for the work they do in orchestral performances, mostly because casual audiences don’t always understand what they bring to a performance. (2) To an untrained audience, conductors look like people who simply flail about to the music on stage. (3) Even within the music industry, they don’t always get the respect they deserve. (4) Famed composer, Igor Stravinsky, once wrote that conductors “may well be less well equipped for [their] work than [their] players,” adding that “if you are incapable of listening, the conductor will show you what to feel.” (5) While not everyone in the music industry agrees with Stravinsky, there is no doubt that a great many people have no idea what a conductor contributes to the performance, even if they are not playing an instrument.
(6) In this way, conductors are extremely helpful to the orchestra. (7) The fact of the matter is, however, that conductors are an extremely important part of an orchestral performance. (8) In many ways, the conductor takes on the role of a coach for the performance. (9) In most sports a team could function without a coach if necessary, but it helps to have one to keep everyone on the same page and in the same rhythm. (10) The conductor keeps time and helps players make adjustments in the moment—which is extremely important in a musical importance, and great conductors do so while also connecting with the audience and engaging them in the performance. (11) The next time you see an orchestra performing, look at how hard the conductor is working and pay attention to the connection they have with their players. (12) Perhaps you’ll have a new appreciation for what they do.
(6) In this way, conductors are extremely helpful to the orchestra. (7) The fact of the matter is, however, that conductors are an extremely important part of an orchestral performance. (8) In many ways, the conductor takes on the role of a coach for the performance. (9) In most sports a team could function without a coach if necessary, but it helps to have one to keep everyone on the same page and in the same rhythm. (10) The conductor keeps time and helps players make adjustments in the moment—which is extremely important in a musical importance, and great conductors do so while also connecting with the audience and engaging them in the performance. (11) The next time you see an orchestra performing, look at how hard the conductor is working and pay attention to the connection they have with their players. (12) Perhaps you’ll have a new appreciation for what they do.
Which is the best version of the underlined portion of sentence 10 (reproduced below)?
The conductor keeps time and helps players make adjustments in the moment—which is extremely important in a musical importance, and great conductors do so while also connecting with the audience and engaging them in the performance.
(as it is now) | |
importance. And | |
importance; and | |
importance - and |
Question 4 Explanation:
Answer choice (D) is correct because the word “importance” marks the end of a parenthetical phrase. In this sentence the parenthetical phrase begins with a dash, and so a dash is necessary to mark the end of the phrase.
Question 5 |
(1) Conductors don’t often gets the recognition they deserve for the work they do in orchestral performances, mostly because casual audiences don’t always understand what they bring to a performance. (2) To an untrained audience, conductors look like people who simply flail about to the music on stage. (3) Even within the music industry, they don’t always get the respect they deserve. (4) Famed composer, Igor Stravinsky, once wrote that conductors “may well be less well equipped for [their] work than [their] players,” adding that “if you are incapable of listening, the conductor will show you what to feel.” (5) While not everyone in the music industry agrees with Stravinsky, there is no doubt that a great many people have no idea what a conductor contributes to the performance, even if they are not playing an instrument.
(6) In this way, conductors are extremely helpful to the orchestra. (7) The fact of the matter is, however, that conductors are an extremely important part of an orchestral performance. (8) In many ways, the conductor takes on the role of a coach for the performance. (9) In most sports a team could function without a coach if necessary, but it helps to have one to keep everyone on the same page and in the same rhythm. (10) The conductor keeps time and helps players make adjustments in the moment—which is extremely important in a musical importance, and great conductors do so while also connecting with the audience and engaging them in the performance. (11) The next time you see an orchestra performing, look at how hard the conductor is working and pay attention to the connection they have with their players. (12) Perhaps you’ll have a new appreciation for what they do.
(6) In this way, conductors are extremely helpful to the orchestra. (7) The fact of the matter is, however, that conductors are an extremely important part of an orchestral performance. (8) In many ways, the conductor takes on the role of a coach for the performance. (9) In most sports a team could function without a coach if necessary, but it helps to have one to keep everyone on the same page and in the same rhythm. (10) The conductor keeps time and helps players make adjustments in the moment—which is extremely important in a musical importance, and great conductors do so while also connecting with the audience and engaging them in the performance. (11) The next time you see an orchestra performing, look at how hard the conductor is working and pay attention to the connection they have with their players. (12) Perhaps you’ll have a new appreciation for what they do.
Sentence 12 is reproduced below.
Perhaps you’ll have a new appreciation for what they do.
The writer is considering adding the following text at the end of the sentence:
, and maybe you’ll even be able to appreciate what the orchestra does more.
Should the writer make this addition there?
Yes, because it elaborates on the idea introduced in the beginning of the sentence. | |
Yes, because it reinforces the main idea of the entire passage. | |
No, because it distracts the reader from the purpose of the passage. | |
No, because it contradicts the message of the rest of the passage. |
Question 5 Explanation:
Answer choice (C) correct because the potential addition to sentence 12 does not get to the main purpose of the passage. Considering this is the final sentence of the passage, it’s better if the writer leaves it the way it is to reinforce their point that conductors play an important role in orchestral performances.
Question 6 |
(1) The American educational system is designed to send students to college; and then hit them with crippling debt when they get there. (2) The cost of college is continuing to grow. (3) Is college still worth the cost? (4) The answer to this question is a complicated “yes” and “no.” (5) While it’s hard to argue that putting yourself in hundreds of thousands of dollars of debt is a good idea, a college degree still opens up a lot of job opportunities. (6) Furthermore, that doesn’t mean that students should just jump into college without thinking.
(7) There are a lot of factors students need to consider when making a decision about college, and the most important factor is the type of job he is looking to get after college. (8) There are some careers, especially a career in a trade, where an internship would be far more valuable than a degree. (9) Other careers may require a degree, but the school a student attends isn’t incredibly important, like many municipal and state jobs (teacher, police officer). (10) If a student is looking for a job in this field and a less-competitive school will save them $50,000, it’s worth going to the less-competitive school.
(11) No one can say unilaterally that going to college is a bad idea. (12) The important lesson to learn is that college may not be for everyone, and that it’s smart to deeply consider the investment being made. (13) Besides, why waste your time in college when you can be earning money? (14) It’s great if a student gets into a difficult school, but if it’s going to bankrupt them with little to no extra return, why waste the money?
(7) There are a lot of factors students need to consider when making a decision about college, and the most important factor is the type of job he is looking to get after college. (8) There are some careers, especially a career in a trade, where an internship would be far more valuable than a degree. (9) Other careers may require a degree, but the school a student attends isn’t incredibly important, like many municipal and state jobs (teacher, police officer). (10) If a student is looking for a job in this field and a less-competitive school will save them $50,000, it’s worth going to the less-competitive school.
(11) No one can say unilaterally that going to college is a bad idea. (12) The important lesson to learn is that college may not be for everyone, and that it’s smart to deeply consider the investment being made. (13) Besides, why waste your time in college when you can be earning money? (14) It’s great if a student gets into a difficult school, but if it’s going to bankrupt them with little to no extra return, why waste the money?
Which is the best version of the underlined portion of sentence 1 (reproduced below)?
The American educational system is designed to send students to college; and then hit them with crippling debt when they get there.
(as it is now) | |
college and | |
college and, | |
college—and |
Question 6 Explanation:
Answer choice (B) is correct because no punctuation is needed in the underlined portion of sentence 1. While one would often put a comma before a conjunction like “and,” in this instance the clause following the word “and” is an extension of the same idea, which means that this portion of the sentence does not necessitate any punctuation.
Question 7 |
(1) The American educational system is designed to send students to college; and then hit them with crippling debt when they get there. (2) The cost of college is continuing to grow. (3) Is college still worth the cost? (4) The answer to this question is a complicated “yes” and “no.” (5) While it’s hard to argue that putting yourself in hundreds of thousands of dollars of debt is a good idea, a college degree still opens up a lot of job opportunities. (6) Furthermore, that doesn’t mean that students should just jump into college without thinking.
(7) There are a lot of factors students need to consider when making a decision about college, and the most important factor is the type of job he is looking to get after college. (8) There are some careers, especially a career in a trade, where an internship would be far more valuable than a degree. (9) Other careers may require a degree, but the school a student attends isn’t incredibly important, like many municipal and state jobs (teacher, police officer). (10) If a student is looking for a job in this field and a less-competitive school will save them $50,000, it’s worth going to the less-competitive school.
(11) No one can say unilaterally that going to college is a bad idea. (12) The important lesson to learn is that college may not be for everyone, and that it’s smart to deeply consider the investment being made. (13) Besides, why waste your time in college when you can be earning money? (14) It’s great if a student gets into a difficult school, but if it’s going to bankrupt them with little to no extra return, why waste the money?
(7) There are a lot of factors students need to consider when making a decision about college, and the most important factor is the type of job he is looking to get after college. (8) There are some careers, especially a career in a trade, where an internship would be far more valuable than a degree. (9) Other careers may require a degree, but the school a student attends isn’t incredibly important, like many municipal and state jobs (teacher, police officer). (10) If a student is looking for a job in this field and a less-competitive school will save them $50,000, it’s worth going to the less-competitive school.
(11) No one can say unilaterally that going to college is a bad idea. (12) The important lesson to learn is that college may not be for everyone, and that it’s smart to deeply consider the investment being made. (13) Besides, why waste your time in college when you can be earning money? (14) It’s great if a student gets into a difficult school, but if it’s going to bankrupt them with little to no extra return, why waste the money?
Which choice most effectively combines sentences 2 and 3 (reproduced below) at the underlined portion?
The cost of college is continuing to grow. Is college still worth the cost?
grow, so is college | |
grow, is college | |
grow, but is college | |
grow, and is college |
Question 7 Explanation:
Answer choice (A) is correct because the conjunction “so” makes the most sense in the new sentence. Sentence 3 is meant to reflect on the worthiness of a college education based on the information provided in sentence 2, which means “but” and “and” are not appropriate.
Question 8 |
(1) The American educational system is designed to send students to college; and then hit them with crippling debt when they get there. (2) The cost of college is continuing to grow. (3) Is college still worth the cost? (4) The answer to this question is a complicated “yes” and “no.” (5) While it’s hard to argue that putting yourself in hundreds of thousands of dollars of debt is a good idea, a college degree still opens up a lot of job opportunities. (6) Furthermore, that doesn’t mean that students should just jump into college without thinking.
(7) There are a lot of factors students need to consider when making a decision about college, and the most important factor is the type of job he is looking to get after college. (8) There are some careers, especially a career in a trade, where an internship would be far more valuable than a degree. (9) Other careers may require a degree, but the school a student attends isn’t incredibly important, like many municipal and state jobs (teacher, police officer). (10) If a student is looking for a job in this field and a less-competitive school will save them $50,000, it’s worth going to the less-competitive school.
(11) No one can say unilaterally that going to college is a bad idea. (12) The important lesson to learn is that college may not be for everyone, and that it’s smart to deeply consider the investment being made. (13) Besides, why waste your time in college when you can be earning money? (14) It’s great if a student gets into a difficult school, but if it’s going to bankrupt them with little to no extra return, why waste the money?
(7) There are a lot of factors students need to consider when making a decision about college, and the most important factor is the type of job he is looking to get after college. (8) There are some careers, especially a career in a trade, where an internship would be far more valuable than a degree. (9) Other careers may require a degree, but the school a student attends isn’t incredibly important, like many municipal and state jobs (teacher, police officer). (10) If a student is looking for a job in this field and a less-competitive school will save them $50,000, it’s worth going to the less-competitive school.
(11) No one can say unilaterally that going to college is a bad idea. (12) The important lesson to learn is that college may not be for everyone, and that it’s smart to deeply consider the investment being made. (13) Besides, why waste your time in college when you can be earning money? (14) It’s great if a student gets into a difficult school, but if it’s going to bankrupt them with little to no extra return, why waste the money?
In context, which is the best version of the underlined portion of sentence 6 (reproduced below)?
Furthermore, that doesn’t mean that students should just jump into college without thinking.
(as it is now) | |
Regardless, | |
However, | |
For example, |
Question 8 Explanation:
Answer choice (C) is correct because sentence 6 is meant to contradict the previous sentence. The transitional word that best prepares the reader for this contradiction is “however.”
Question 9 |
(1) The American educational system is designed to send students to college; and then hit them with crippling debt when they get there. (2) The cost of college is continuing to grow. (3) Is college still worth the cost? (4) The answer to this question is a complicated “yes” and “no.” (5) While it’s hard to argue that putting yourself in hundreds of thousands of dollars of debt is a good idea, a college degree still opens up a lot of job opportunities. (6) Furthermore, that doesn’t mean that students should just jump into college without thinking.
(7) There are a lot of factors students need to consider when making a decision about college, and the most important factor is the type of job he is looking to get after college. (8) There are some careers, especially a career in a trade, where an internship would be far more valuable than a degree. (9) Other careers may require a degree, but the school a student attends isn’t incredibly important, like many municipal and state jobs (teacher, police officer). (10) If a student is looking for a job in this field and a less-competitive school will save them $50,000, it’s worth going to the less-competitive school.
(11) No one can say unilaterally that going to college is a bad idea. (12) The important lesson to learn is that college may not be for everyone, and that it’s smart to deeply consider the investment being made. (13) Besides, why waste your time in college when you can be earning money? (14) It’s great if a student gets into a difficult school, but if it’s going to bankrupt them with little to no extra return, why waste the money?
(7) There are a lot of factors students need to consider when making a decision about college, and the most important factor is the type of job he is looking to get after college. (8) There are some careers, especially a career in a trade, where an internship would be far more valuable than a degree. (9) Other careers may require a degree, but the school a student attends isn’t incredibly important, like many municipal and state jobs (teacher, police officer). (10) If a student is looking for a job in this field and a less-competitive school will save them $50,000, it’s worth going to the less-competitive school.
(11) No one can say unilaterally that going to college is a bad idea. (12) The important lesson to learn is that college may not be for everyone, and that it’s smart to deeply consider the investment being made. (13) Besides, why waste your time in college when you can be earning money? (14) It’s great if a student gets into a difficult school, but if it’s going to bankrupt them with little to no extra return, why waste the money?
Which is the best version of the underlined portion of sentence 7 (reproduced below)?
There are a lot of factors students need to consider when making a decision about college, and the most important factor is the type of job he is looking to get after college.
(as it is now) | |
she is | |
they is | |
they are |
Question 9 Explanation:
Answer choice (D) is correct because the subject of the sentence (“students”) is plural. The pronoun “they” best agrees with the antecedent “students,” and since the pronoun is plural, the verb “are” must be plural as well.
Question 10 |
(1) The American educational system is designed to send students to college; and then hit them with crippling debt when they get there. (2) The cost of college is continuing to grow. (3) Is college still worth the cost? (4) The answer to this question is a complicated “yes” and “no.” (5) While it’s hard to argue that putting yourself in hundreds of thousands of dollars of debt is a good idea, a college degree still opens up a lot of job opportunities. (6) Furthermore, that doesn’t mean that students should just jump into college without thinking.
(7) There are a lot of factors students need to consider when making a decision about college, and the most important factor is the type of job he is looking to get after college. (8) There are some careers, especially a career in a trade, where an internship would be far more valuable than a degree. (9) Other careers may require a degree, but the school a student attends isn’t incredibly important, like many municipal and state jobs (teacher, police officer). (10) If a student is looking for a job in this field and a less-competitive school will save them $50,000, it’s worth going to the less-competitive school.
(11) No one can say unilaterally that going to college is a bad idea. (12) The important lesson to learn is that college may not be for everyone, and that it’s smart to deeply consider the investment being made. (13) Besides, why waste your time in college when you can be earning money? (14) It’s great if a student gets into a difficult school, but if it’s going to bankrupt them with little to no extra return, why waste the money?
(7) There are a lot of factors students need to consider when making a decision about college, and the most important factor is the type of job he is looking to get after college. (8) There are some careers, especially a career in a trade, where an internship would be far more valuable than a degree. (9) Other careers may require a degree, but the school a student attends isn’t incredibly important, like many municipal and state jobs (teacher, police officer). (10) If a student is looking for a job in this field and a less-competitive school will save them $50,000, it’s worth going to the less-competitive school.
(11) No one can say unilaterally that going to college is a bad idea. (12) The important lesson to learn is that college may not be for everyone, and that it’s smart to deeply consider the investment being made. (13) Besides, why waste your time in college when you can be earning money? (14) It’s great if a student gets into a difficult school, but if it’s going to bankrupt them with little to no extra return, why waste the money?
Which sentence blurs the focus of the last paragraph and should therefore be deleted?
Sentence 11 | |
Sentence 12 | |
Sentence 13 | |
Sentence 14 |
Question 10 Explanation:
Answer choice (C) is correct because it introduces a new idea just as the writer is concluding their train of thought. Without further exploration, this sentence doesn’t belong in the passage at all.
Question 11 |
(1) Designing, creating, and able to trust the safety of vaccines has been an important part of the growth of modern society. (2) Scientists have almost entirely eradicated many diseases that once plagued our world. (3) Recently, however, many have started to doubt the safety of vaccinations, citing discredited studies and anecdotal evidence such as: “my neighbor’s son got vaccinated and then got sick.” (4) People who oppose vaccinations on the grounds that they are dangerous create a clear and present danger to everyone around them. (5) Luckily, vaccines work based on a herd immunity system, which means that vaccines can be effective even if everyone is not taking them. (6) There is a limit, however, to how much dissent this herd immunity can withstand. (7) In the name of science, we need to work hard to make sure that vaccinations are an accepted part of society. (8) Ideally, everyone would buy in to the process, but if doctors can figure out a way to give children of anti-vaccination parents, vaccinations will still do their jobs. (9) Regardless, the idea that vaccines are helpful is just common sense.
Which is the best decision regarding the underlined portion of sentence 1 (reproduced below)?
Designing, creating, and being able to trust the safety of vaccines has been an important part of the growth of modern society.
Leave it as it is now | |
Revise it to "and able" | |
Revise it to "and the ability" | |
Delete it |
Question 11 Explanation:
In a list, you need to make sure that all items agree in form. The sentence is correct as it is now because the writer needs to add the word “being” in order for the sentence to make sense and have proper parallelism.
Question 12 |
(1) Designing, creating, and able to trust the safety of vaccines has been an important part of the growth of modern society. (2) Scientists have almost entirely eradicated many diseases that once plagued our world. (3) Recently, however, many have started to doubt the safety of vaccinations, citing discredited studies and anecdotal evidence such as: “my neighbor’s son got vaccinated and then got sick.” (4) People who oppose vaccinations on the grounds that they are dangerous create a clear and present danger to everyone around them. (5) Luckily, vaccines work based on a herd immunity system, which means that vaccines can be effective even if everyone is not taking them. (6) There is a limit, however, to how much dissent this herd immunity can withstand. (7) In the name of science, we need to work hard to make sure that vaccinations are an accepted part of society. (8) Ideally, everyone would buy in to the process, but if doctors can figure out a way to give children of anti-vaccination parents, vaccinations will still do their jobs. (9) Regardless, the idea that vaccines are helpful is just common sense.
Which sentence blurs the focus of the passage and should therefore be deleted?
Sentence 6 | |
Sentence 7 | |
Sentence 8 | |
Sentence 9 |
Question 12 Explanation:
Answer choice (D) is correct because while the writer would likely agree with the sentiment of the sentence, the passage isn’t about common sense. Sentence 8 works much better as the final sentence of the passage.
Question 13 |
(1) Designing, creating, and able to trust the safety of vaccines has been an important part of the growth of modern society. (2) Scientists have almost entirely eradicated many diseases that once plagued our world. (3) Recently, however, many have started to doubt the safety of vaccinations, citing discredited studies and anecdotal evidence such as: “my neighbor’s son got vaccinated and then got sick.” (4) People who oppose vaccinations on the grounds that they are dangerous create a clear and present danger to everyone around them. (5) Luckily, vaccines work based on a herd immunity system, which means that vaccines can be effective even if everyone is not taking them. (6) There is a limit, however, to how much dissent this herd immunity can withstand. (7) In the name of science, we need to work hard to make sure that vaccinations are an accepted part of society. (8) Ideally, everyone would buy in to the process, but if doctors can figure out a way to give children of anti-vaccination parents, vaccinations will still do their jobs. (9) Regardless, the idea that vaccines are helpful is just common sense.
Which is the best version of the underlined portion of sentence 3 (reproduced below)?
Recently, however, many have started to doubt the safety of vaccinations, citing discredited studies and anecdotal evidence such as: “my neighbor’s son got vaccinated and then got sick.”
(as it is now) | |
as, | |
as— | |
as |
Question 13 Explanation:
Answer choice (D) is correct because no punctuation is necessary. You should use punctuation (like a comma or colon) when the signal phrase is introducing dialogue or a discourse. For example, if the sentence were “...citing discredited studies and anecdotal evidence when they say, ‘my neighbor’s…’” then a comma would be necessary.
Question 14 |
(1) Designing, creating, and able to trust the safety of vaccines has been an important part of the growth of modern society. (2) Scientists have almost entirely eradicated many diseases that once plagued our world. (3) Recently, however, many have started to doubt the safety of vaccinations, citing discredited studies and anecdotal evidence such as: “my neighbor’s son got vaccinated and then got sick.” (4) People who oppose vaccinations on the grounds that they are dangerous create a clear and present danger to everyone around them. (5) Luckily, vaccines work based on a herd immunity system, which means that vaccines can be effective even if everyone is not taking them. (6) There is a limit, however, to how much dissent this herd immunity can withstand. (7) In the name of science, we need to work hard to make sure that vaccinations are an accepted part of society. (8) Ideally, everyone would buy in to the process, but if doctors can figure out a way to give children of anti-vaccination parents, vaccinations will still do their jobs. (9) Regardless, the idea that vaccines are helpful is just common sense.
Which version of the underlined portion if sentence 8 (reproduced below) provides the most effective conclusion to the passage?
Ideally, everyone would buy in to the process, but if doctors can figure out a way to give children of anti-vaccination parents, vaccinations will still do their jobs.
(as it is now) | |
but if a small population of people believe vaccines are dangerous, | |
but if the community of those who don’t can be kept at a minimum, | |
but vaccinations are given to at least a small percentage of people, |
Question 14 Explanation:
Answer choice (C) is correct because the previous few sentences discuss herd immunity and (B) brings that discussion to an appropriate close. The other options either contradict or blur the writer’s purpose in the passage.
Question 15 |
(1) Designing, creating, and able to trust the safety of vaccines has been an important part of the growth of modern society. (2) Scientists have almost entirely eradicated many diseases that once plagued our world. (3) Recently, however, many have started to doubt the safety of vaccinations, citing discredited studies and anecdotal evidence such as: “my neighbor’s son got vaccinated and then got sick.” (4) People who oppose vaccinations on the grounds that they are dangerous create a clear and present danger to everyone around them. (5) Luckily, vaccines work based on a herd immunity system, which means that vaccines can be effective even if everyone is not taking them. (6) There is a limit, however, to how much dissent this herd immunity can withstand. (7) In the name of science, we need to work hard to make sure that vaccinations are an accepted part of society. (8) Ideally, everyone would buy in to the process, but if doctors can figure out a way to give children of anti-vaccination parents, vaccinations will still do their jobs. (9) Regardless, the idea that vaccines are helpful is just common sense.
In sentence 6 (reproduced below), the writer wants to reference the observation she discussed in the previous sentence. Which version of the underlined portion best accomplishes that goal?
There is a limit, however, to how much dissent this herd immunity can withstand.
(as it is now) | |
criticism | |
implementation | |
denial |
Question 15 Explanation:
Answer choice (A) is correct because the previous sentence discusses a concept called “herd immunity,” which means that not everyone needs to be vaccinated for the vaccinations to have the desired effect. To reference this idea, “dissent” is the best word because it refers to people who refuse vaccinations.
Question 16 |
(1) The recent wave of wildfires in Australia has devastated the country’s ecosystem. (2) It would be impossible to accurately count how many of the country’s animals have been killed by these wildfires, and even more difficult to calculate how the aftermath of the wildfires will continue to affect the country. (3) Even those animals who survived the main surge of wildfires have a long struggle ahead of them. (4) Wildfires have devastated food supplies and resources to the point that any animals who survived them is not out of the woods yet. (5) There are many ways that you can pitch in to help the people and the animals of Australia, including making donations to local firefighting services, sponsoring koalas and other animals displaced by this tragedy, or even opening you’re home to people who have been displaced by the tragedy. (6) Australia has a long road ahead of it to try to recover from the devastation caused by these wildfires.
The writer is considering adding a parenthetical note to sentence 2 (reproduced below). Which of the following statements would best fit after the underlined portion and most effectively support the sentence?
It would be impossible to accurately count how many of the country’s animals have been killed by these wildfires, and even more difficult to calculate how the aftermath of the wildfires will continue to affect the country.
(as it is now) | |
(Australia is home to thousands of different types of animals) | |
(experts estimate that more than 1 billion animals were killed) | |
(firefighters are still working hard to contain the fires) |
Question 16 Explanation:
Answer choice (C) is correct because it directly supports the clause before it, which discusses how “impossible” it would be to “accurately count how many...animals have been killed.” Answer choices (B) and (D) would blur the purpose of the sentence.
Question 17 |
(1) The recent wave of wildfires in Australia has devastated the country’s ecosystem. (2) It would be impossible to accurately count how many of the country’s animals have been killed by these wildfires, and even more difficult to calculate how the aftermath of the wildfires will continue to affect the country. (3) Even those animals who survived the main surge of wildfires have a long struggle ahead of them. (4) Wildfires have devastated food supplies and resources to the point that any animals who survived them is not out of the woods yet. (5) There are many ways that you can pitch in to help the people and the animals of Australia, including making donations to local firefighting services, sponsoring koalas and other animals displaced by this tragedy, or even opening you’re home to people who have been displaced by the tragedy. (6) Australia has a long road ahead of it to try to recover from the devastation caused by these wildfires.
Sentence 3 is reproduced below.
Even those animals who survived the main surge of wildfires have a long struggle ahead of them.
The writer is considering adding the following the following text to the end of the sentence:
because of the amount of destruction the fires have done.
Should the writer make this addition?
No, because it is repeating information that is provided elsewhere in the passage. | |
No, because it would make the sentence a run-on sentence. | |
Yes, because it adds important information that isn’t already provided in the passage. | |
Yes, because it strengthens an idea that is already present in the passage. |
Question 17 Explanation:
Answer choice (A) is correct because the additional text is offering information that is already stated in the following sentence. While the addition makes sense when you look at the sentence alone, it doesn’t make sense in the context of the passage.
Question 18 |
(1) The recent wave of wildfires in Australia has devastated the country’s ecosystem. (2) It would be impossible to accurately count how many of the country’s animals have been killed by these wildfires, and even more difficult to calculate how the aftermath of the wildfires will continue to affect the country. (3) Even those animals who survived the main surge of wildfires have a long struggle ahead of them. (4) Wildfires have devastated food supplies and resources to the point that any animals who survived them is not out of the woods yet. (5) There are many ways that you can pitch in to help the people and the animals of Australia, including making donations to local firefighting services, sponsoring koalas and other animals displaced by this tragedy, or even opening you’re home to people who have been displaced by the tragedy. (6) Australia has a long road ahead of it to try to recover from the devastation caused by these wildfires.
Which is the best version of the underlined portion of sentence 5 (reproduced below)?
There are many ways that you can pitch in to help the people and the animals of Australia, including making donations to local firefighting services, sponsoring koalas and other animals displaced by this tragedy, or even opening you’re home to people who have been displaced by the tragedy.
(as it is now) | |
it's | |
its | |
your |
Question 18 Explanation:
Answer choice (D) is correct because “your” in this sentence is functioning as a possessive descriptor for home. “You’re” (A) would mean “you are,” which doesn’t make sense in the sentence, and options (B) and (C) require the possessor to be a non-human entity in the sentence.
Question 19 |
(1) The recent wave of wildfires in Australia has devastated the country’s ecosystem. (2) It would be impossible to accurately count how many of the country’s animals have been killed by these wildfires, and even more difficult to calculate how the aftermath of the wildfires will continue to affect the country. (3) Even those animals who survived the main surge of wildfires have a long struggle ahead of them. (4) Wildfires have devastated food supplies and resources to the point that any animals who survived them is not out of the woods yet. (5) There are many ways that you can pitch in to help the people and the animals of Australia, including making donations to local firefighting services, sponsoring koalas and other animals displaced by this tragedy, or even opening you’re home to people who have been displaced by the tragedy. (6) Australia has a long road ahead of it to try to recover from the devastation caused by these wildfires.
Which is the best version of the underlined portion of sentence 6 (reproduced below)?
Australia has a long road ahead of it to try to recover from the devastation caused by these wildfires.
(as it is now) | |
her | |
them | |
they |
Question 19 Explanation:
Answer choice (A) is correct because the pronoun “it” is taking the place of the antecedent “Australia.” Since Australia is a place, “it” is the appropriate pronoun.
Question 20 |
(1) The recent wave of wildfires in Australia has devastated the country’s ecosystem. (2) It would be impossible to accurately count how many of the country’s animals have been killed by these wildfires, and even more difficult to calculate how the aftermath of the wildfires will continue to affect the country. (3) Even those animals who survived the main surge of wildfires have a long struggle ahead of them. (4) Wildfires have devastated food supplies and resources to the point that any animals who survived them is not out of the woods yet. (5) There are many ways that you can pitch in to help the people and the animals of Australia, including making donations to local firefighting services, sponsoring koalas and other animals displaced by this tragedy, or even opening you’re home to people who have been displaced by the tragedy. (6) Australia has a long road ahead of it to try to recover from the devastation caused by these wildfires.
Sentences 5 and 6 are reproduced below.
There are many ways that you can pitch in to help the people and the animals of Australia, including making donations to local firefighting services, sponsoring koalas and other animals displaced by this tragedy, or even opening you’re home to people who have been displaced by the tragedy. Australia has a long road ahead of it to try to recover from the devastation caused by these wildfires.
The writer is considering revising these sentences to make them more purposeful in the passage. What adjustment should the writer make?
Leave them as they are now. | |
Switch them so that sentence 5 is the last sentence of the passage. | |
Combine them into one sentence. | |
Delete sentence 5 |
Question 20 Explanation:
Answer choice (B) is correct because the passage would be more effective if it ended with the call to action (sentence 5). In this way, the writer would conclude their discussion of the issue, and then offer ways in which readers can help fix the problem.
Question 21 |
(1) The opossum is an oft-misunderstood friend to humans. (2) Despite its reputation for carrying disease and being ill-tempered, opossums are actually quite the opposite. (3) Opossums are actually mild-mannered and helpful, and they are not common carriers of rabies. (4) Opossums are actually a fairly unique animal to American landscapes, in that they are the only marsupial Americans can expect to find in nature. (5) The general public may worry that they are rodents bent on infecting neighborhoods with debilitating diseases, but they actually do more good than harm. (6) If you see an opossum in your backyard, for example, they’re not there to bite your children; they’re there to eat your rotten fruit, ticks, insects, and cockroaches. (7) I love whenever I see an opossum in my backyard because I know it’s hard at work. (8) They’re not naturally mean either. (9) In fact, the old cliché that says they’re more afraid of you than you are of them holds true with opossum. (10) Once scared, hissing might occur, but that’s about it. (11) The opossum is here to help, so if you see one in your yard, know that it’s hard at work saving your garden from pests.
Sentences 2 and 3 are reproduced below.
Despite its reputation for carrying disease and being ill-tempered, opossums are actually quite the opposite. Opossums are actually mild-mannered and helpful, and they are not common carriers of rabies.
The writer is considering making an adjustment to make the passage more effective. What adjustment should the writer make?
Leave them the way they are now. | |
Delete sentence 2. | |
Switch them so that sentence 2 comes first and sentence 3 comes next. | |
Combine them into one sentence. |
Question 21 Explanation:
Answer choice (D) is correct because, while they make sense as is, combining the sentences will make the passage more direct and less repetitive.
Question 22 |
(1) The opossum is an oft-misunderstood friend to humans. (2) Despite its reputation for carrying disease and being ill-tempered, opossums are actually quite the opposite. (3) Opossums are actually mild-mannered and helpful, and they are not common carriers of rabies. (4) Opossums are actually a fairly unique animal to American landscapes, in that they are the only marsupial Americans can expect to find in nature. (5) The general public may worry that they are rodents bent on infecting neighborhoods with debilitating diseases, but they actually do more good than harm. (6) If you see an opossum in your backyard, for example, they’re not there to bite your children; they’re there to eat your rotten fruit, ticks, insects, and cockroaches. (7) I love whenever I see an opossum in my backyard because I know it’s hard at work. (8) They’re not naturally mean either. (9) In fact, the old cliché that says they’re more afraid of you than you are of them holds true with opossum. (10) Once scared, hissing might occur, but that’s about it. (11) The opossum is here to help, so if you see one in your yard, know that it’s hard at work saving your garden from pests.
Which is the best version of the underlined portion of sentence 8 (reproduced below)?
They’re not naturally mean either.
(as it is now) | |
miserly | |
selfish | |
nasty |
Question 22 Explanation:
Answer choice (A) is correct because the writer wants to use a simple word here to describe how opossums don’t behave. Neither of the other choices fit the content of what the writer is trying to say or the tone of the passage.
Question 23 |
(1) The opossum is an oft-misunderstood friend to humans. (2) Despite its reputation for carrying disease and being ill-tempered, opossums are actually quite the opposite. (3) Opossums are actually mild-mannered and helpful, and they are not common carriers of rabies. (4) Opossums are actually a fairly unique animal to American landscapes, in that they are the only marsupial Americans can expect to find in nature. (5) The general public may worry that they are rodents bent on infecting neighborhoods with debilitating diseases, but they actually do more good than harm. (6) If you see an opossum in your backyard, for example, they’re not there to bite your children; they’re there to eat your rotten fruit, ticks, insects, and cockroaches. (7) I love whenever I see an opossum in my backyard because I know it’s hard at work. (8) They’re not naturally mean either. (9) In fact, the old cliché that says they’re more afraid of you than you are of them holds true with opossum. (10) Once scared, hissing might occur, but that’s about it. (11) The opossum is here to help, so if you see one in your yard, know that it’s hard at work saving your garden from pests.
Which is the best version of the underlined portion of sentence 9 (reproduced below)?
In fact, the old cliché that says they’re more afraid of you than you are of them holds true with opossum.
(as it is now) | |
says, “they’re more afraid of you than you are of them,” holds | |
says, they’re more afraid of you than you are of them, holds | |
says—they’re more afraid of you than you are of them—holds |
Question 23 Explanation:
Answer choice (B) is correct because a common phrase, or cliche, should be put in quotation marks. Off-setting it with commas (C) is not enough, and putting the clause within dashes (D) doesn’t make sense grammatically.
Question 24 |
(1) The opossum is an oft-misunderstood friend to humans. (2) Despite its reputation for carrying disease and being ill-tempered, opossums are actually quite the opposite. (3) Opossums are actually mild-mannered and helpful, and they are not common carriers of rabies. (4) Opossums are actually a fairly unique animal to American landscapes, in that they are the only marsupial Americans can expect to find in nature. (5) The general public may worry that they are rodents bent on infecting neighborhoods with debilitating diseases, but they actually do more good than harm. (6) If you see an opossum in your backyard, for example, they’re not there to bite your children; they’re there to eat your rotten fruit, ticks, insects, and cockroaches. (7) I love whenever I see an opossum in my backyard because I know it’s hard at work. (8) They’re not naturally mean either. (9) In fact, the old cliché that says they’re more afraid of you than you are of them holds true with opossum. (10) Once scared, hissing might occur, but that’s about it. (11) The opossum is here to help, so if you see one in your yard, know that it’s hard at work saving your garden from pests.
Which is the best version of the underlined portion of sentence 10 (reproduced below)?
Once scared, hissing might occur, but that’s about it.
(as it is now) | |
you might get hissed at, | |
an opossum might hiss at you, | |
hissing might happen, |
Question 24 Explanation:
Answer choice (C) is correct because it fixes the dangling modifier that exists in the original sentence. In the original sentence, it’s unclear who or what is “scared” and “hissing.” Answer choice (B) makes it seems like a person seeing an opossum will be scared and hiss, which is against the point of the passage. Answer choice (D) simply changes “occur” to “happen," a change in diction that is unnecessary.
Question 25 |
(1) The opossum is an oft-misunderstood friend to humans. (2) Despite its reputation for carrying disease and being ill-tempered, opossums are actually quite the opposite. (3) Opossums are actually mild-mannered and helpful, and they are not common carriers of rabies. (4) Opossums are actually a fairly unique animal to American landscapes, in that they are the only marsupial Americans can expect to find in nature. (5) The general public may worry that they are rodents bent on infecting neighborhoods with debilitating diseases, but they actually do more good than harm. (6) If you see an opossum in your backyard, for example, they’re not there to bite your children; they’re there to eat your rotten fruit, ticks, insects, and cockroaches. (7) I love whenever I see an opossum in my backyard because I know it’s hard at work. (8) They’re not naturally mean either. (9) In fact, the old cliché that says they’re more afraid of you than you are of them holds true with opossum. (10) Once scared, hissing might occur, but that’s about it. (11) The opossum is here to help, so if you see one in your yard, know that it’s hard at work saving your garden from pests.
Which sentence in the passage should be removed because it strays from the tone of the rest of the passage?
Sentence 3 | |
Sentence 6 | |
Sentence 7 | |
Sentence 9 |
Question 25 Explanation:
Answer choice (C) is correct because sentence 7 is the only sentence in which the writer offers their personal feelings about opossums. This does not fit with the informative tone of the rest of the passage.
Once you are finished, click the button below. Any items you have not completed will be marked incorrect.
There are 25 questions to complete.
|
List |