LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY-MOCK EXAM

SET 1-GRAMMAR AND CORRECT USAGE

1. On March 15, 2006, the Maywood Recreation Department requested a grant from the
state to rebuild the community center that ______ in the recent fire.
a. destroys
b. will be destroyed
c. had been destroyed
d is being destroyed
-past tense
2. Matthew Morris and Jessica Glassman hosted a holiday party that The River Bank
Café_____.
a. caters
b. will cater
c. is catering
d. Catered
-past tense
3. Megan is trying to read all three books in the series before summer ____________.
a. ended
b. will have ended
c. will end
d. ends
-present tense
4.We have _________________more sweets since that wonderful bakery opened down the
block.
a. ate
b. been eating
c. been eat
d. eat
-since
5. While attempting to _____________ his broken bicycle, Leo Donner realized that he
didn’t have the proper tools.
a. be repairing
b. have repaired
c. repair
d. repaired
-”to”
6. ___________ the police immediately.
a. Call
b. Called
c. Been calling
d. To call
-you call
7. The biggest problem with Martha’s garden__________ too many weeds.
a. will have been
b. were
c. will have
d. was
-past tense singular
8. Last week, Tracy and Shane were honored at a luncheon for their part in rescuing a child
who ____________________ into an icy pond.
a. falls
b. would fall
c. had fallen
d. has fallen
-past tense
9. The woman who confronted the owner of the unleashed dog ____________ angry.
a. were
b. was
c. are
d. have been
-singular woman
10. The boy ______________ the bat and ran to first base as fast as he could.
a. swings
b. swinged
c. swung
d. swing
-past tense
11. There ___________ four excellent restaurants in the center of town.
a. is
b. are
c. was
d. being
-restaurants
12. The noise from the lawn mowers______________ louder as the morning progresses.
a. gets
b. get
c. have gotten
d. are getting
-noise

SET 2 – CORRECT USAGE

Replace the italicized words with the phrase that best completes the sentence. If the
sentence is correct as is, choose a.
13. The words Equal Justice Under Law is carved above the main entrance to the Supreme
Court.
a. is carved
b. carved
c. has been carved
d. are carved
e. been carved
-words
14. In classical economic theory, the relationship between supply and demand determines
the price of a commodity.
a. between supply and demand determines
b. among supply and demand determines
c. among supply and demand determine
d. between supply and demand determine
e. with supply and demand determine
-relationship
15. A corporation created by the federal government during the Great Depression, the
Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) is responsible for flood control, must generate electric
power, and soil conservation.
a. flood control, must generate electric power, and soil conservation.
b. flood control, generating electric power, and for soil conservation.
c. controlling floods, generating electric power, and soil conservation.
d. flood control, the generation of electric power, and soil conservation.
e. flood control, for the generation of electric power, and conserving the soil.
-abide by one consistent grammatical construction
16. According to traditional Chinese medicine, people with healthy livers are said to be calm
and that they possess unerring judgment.
a. are said to be calm and that they possess
b. are said to be calm and to possess
c. said to be calm and possessing
d. have said to be calm and to possess
e. are said to be calm and possessive of
-abide by one consistent grammatical construction
17. When the phone is ringing, Jacoby had been writing in his journal.
a. is ringing, Jacoby had been writing
b. rings, Jacoby was writing
c. rang, Jacoby was writing
d. had rung, Jacoby was writing
e. rang, Jacoby will be writing
-tenses agree
18. To determine the speed of automobiles, radar is often used by the state police.
a. To determine the speed of automobiles, radar is often used by the state police.
b. To determine the speed of automobiles, it is often necessary for the state police to use
radar.
c. In determining the speed of automobiles, the use of radar by state police is often
employed.
d. To determine the speed of automobiles, the state police often use radar.
e. Radar by state police in determining the speed of automobiles is often used.
-active voice
19. Everyone signed the petition before submitting to the city council.
a. submitting
b. one submits it
c. you submit it
d. we will submit it
e. we submitted it
-past tense
20. I have a cross-training exercise program: I swim laps, play tennis, the weight machines,
and bicycle riding.
a. I swim laps, play tennis, the weight machines, and bicycle riding.
b. I swim laps, play tennis, lift weights, and ride a bicycle.
c. I swim laps, play tennis, I lift weights, and bicycle riding is a change.
d. swimming laps, tennis, lifting weights, and the bicycle.
e. swim laps, play tennis, lifting weights, and riding a bicycle.
-verb + noun
21. We all arrived at the theater on time, but before we bought our tickets, Candace says
that she’s changed her mind and doesn’t want to see the movie after all.
a. says that she’s changed her mind and doesn’t
b. said that she had changed her mind and didn’t
c. is saying that she’d changed her mind and doesn’t
d. told us that she is changing her mind and didn’t
e. tells us that she had changed her mind and doesn’t
-remain in past tense
22. State Senator Partridge wished to insure the people that their tax dollars would be spent
wisely.
a. to insure the people that their tax dollars would be spent wisely.
b. that the people would be insured of tax dollars wisely spent.
c. in assuring the people, that their tax dollars would be wisely spent.
d. to assure the people that he would spend their tax dollars wisely.
e. to assure and promise the people of his intentions to spend their tax dollars wisely.
-assure
23. Because he was given a local anesthetic, Josh was conscience throughout the
operation.
a. Josh was conscience throughout the operation.
b. Josh had a conscience during the operation.
c. the operation was completed with Josh consciousness.
d. the operation was done while Josh held consciousness.
e. Josh remained conscious throughout the operation.
-describe Josh’s condition

SET 3- IDENTIFYING ERROR

Find the sentence that has a mistake in grammar or usage. If you find no mistakes, mark
choice d.
24.
a. No, it’s not true.
b. The closed, and the people curtain will applaud.
c. My sister is a nurse practitioner.
d. No mistakes.
-applauded
25.
a. They talked through the entire movie.
b. The plants in this garden does not require much water.
c. She always brings turkey sandwiches for lunch.
d. No mistakes.
-plural ‘do’
26.
a. Where are Gianna’s art supplies?
b. Darren should of been given a chance to audition.
c. It’s going to take all day.
d. No mistakes.
-should have been
27.
a. Olivia took her older sister out for lunch.
b. Nicholas is learning to speak German.
c. Franklin drunk three bottles of water after the game.
d. No mistakes.
-drank
28.
a. She showed us five different shades of blue paint.
b. The liveliest one of the three puppies are not adopted yet.
c. This is the best birthday party I have ever had.
d. No mistakes.
-verb is singular
29.
a. When I go the museum, I wore comfortable shoes.
b. She was approached, but she declined the offer.
c. There are seven floors in this building.
d. No mistakes.
-illogical shift in tense ‘went to’
30.
a. David and Mickey danced in the street.
b. Here is the photographs I wanted to show you.
c. My grandfather owns a 1967 Mustang.
d. No mistakes.
-are
31.
a. It has not rained since last April.
b. The jurors walked solemnly into the room.
c. Had we known, we would not have come.
d. No mistakes.
-no errors
32.
a. The dog’s barking woke us.
b. Ursula has broke one of your plates.
c. The sun rose from behind the mountain.
d. No mistakes.
-has broken
33.
a. After we sat down to eat dinner, the phone rung.
b. “Keep a positive attitude,” he always says.
c. Sign here.
d. No mistakes.
-rang
34.
a. The children’s books are over there.
b. She missed the bus and arrives late.
c. There is hardly enough food for a mouse.
d. No mistakes.
-arrived
35.
a. The winners were announced yesterday.
b. Liam is the only one of the boys who were chosen.
c. Although Nick was not selected, he was happy for the others.
d. No mistakes.
-was
36.
a. He shook the crumbs from the tablecloth.
b. We will strive to do our best.
c. I see that Fred has wore his old shoes.
d. No mistakes.
-has worn
37.
a. When I heard the alarm, I jump out of bed.
b. Mr. Fox is the president of his own company.
c. At night, I listened to jazz on the radio.
d. No mistakes.
-jumped

SET 4 – BEST CONSTRUCTION

Choose the sentence that is the most clearly written and has the best construction.
38.
a. All the children got out their rugs and took a nap.
b. All the children have gotten out their rugs and took a nap.
c. All the children got out their rugs and have taken a nap.
d. All the children gotten out their rugs and taken a nap.
-got, took = agree
39.
a. At first I was liking the sound of the wind, but later it got on my nerves.
b. At first I liked the sound of the wind, but later it has gotten on my nerves.
c. At first I like the sound of the wind, but later it got on my nerves.
d. At first I liked the sound of the wind, but later it got on my nerves.
-liked, got = agree
40.
a. I became ill from eating too many fried clams.
b. I became ill from eaten too many fried clams.
c. I ate too many fried clams and becoming ill.
d. I ate too many fried clams and become ill.
-became, eating
41.
a. As the old saying goes, a cat may look at a king.
b. A cat looking at a king, according to the old saying.
c. The old saying being, a cat may look at a king.
d. A cat looking at a king, in the old saying.
-fragments
42.
a. A longer happier life, caused by one’s owning a pet.
b. Owning a pet, for one to live a longer, happier life.
c. To live a longer, happier life by one’s owning a pet.
d. Owning a pet can help one live a longer, happier life.
-fragments
43.
a. One of the first modern detectives literature were created by Edgar Allan Poe.
b. One of the first modern detectives in literature was created by Edgar Allan Poe.
c. Edgar Allan Poe having created one of the first modern detectives in literature.
d. In literature, one of the first modern detectives, created by Edgar Allan Poe.
44.
a. My brother and I going to see the ball game.
b. My brother and I are going to see the ball game.
c. My brother and I seeing the ball game.
d. My brother and I to the ball game.
-fragments
45.
a. I don’t like fish as well as my sister does.
b. I don’t like fish as well as my sister.
c. Fish isn’t liked by me as well as my sister.
d. My sister likes it, but I don’t like fish as well.
46.
a. After renting him the room, Alvin discovered Mr. Morris owned a cat.
b. After renting him the room, a cat was discovered to belong to Mr. Morris.
c. A cat belonging to Mr. Morris was discovered by Alvin after renting him a room.
d. After renting him a room, Mr. Morris was discovered by Alvin to own a cat.
47.
a. We ate the popcorn and watch the movie.
b. While watching the movie, the popcorn was eaten.
c. Popcorn, while watching the movie, was eaten.
d. We ate the popcorn while we watched the movie.

SET 5- GRAMMAR AND CORRECT USAGE

Fill in the blank with the correct pronoun.
48. That fine circus elephant now belongs to my sister and ________.
a. I
b. me
c. mine
d. myself
-objective case
49. The person ________ made these delicious candied figs has my vote.
a. that
b. whom
c. who
d. whose
-subject form
50. If you don’t stop playing ________ video games, you will miss the bus.
a. that
b. those
c. them
d. this
-video games
51. George and Michael left ________ backpacks at school.
a. his
b. their
c. there
d. its
-g and m
52. If you steal ________ artichoke from Petra’s garden, you’ll be sorry.
a. them
b. those
c. that
d. these
-artichoke
53. We arranged the flowers and placed ________in the center of the table.
a. it
b. this
c. them
d. that
-flowers
54. ________ met more than ten years ago at a mutual friend’s birthday party.
a. Her and I
b. Her and me
c. She and me
d. She and I
-subjective casee
55. My parents approved of ________ taking guitar lessons.
a. my
b. me
c. I
d. mine
-possessive case

SET 6- IDENTIFYING ERROR

Find the sentence that has a mistake in grammar or usage. If you find no mistakes, mark
choice d.
56.
a. Of the four of us, I am the tallest.
b. Wilson’s brother is a chemical engineer.
c. That fine circus elephant now belongs to my sister and I.
d. No mistakes.
-me (objective case)
57.
a. Help is on the way.
b. The firemen used a ladder to reach the kitten.
c. Don’t slip on the icy sidewalk.
d. No mistakes.
-no errors
58.
a. His family has lived in this town for thirty-five years.
b. You’re the only one who can remember that song.
c. That’s the quickest way to get to Sylvia’s house.
d. No mistakes.
-no errors
59.
a. “Meet me at six o’clock,” she said.
b. Tired of running, she slowed her pace to a fast walk.
c. Gabriel and me will attend the geography bee.
d. No mistakes.
-I
60.
a. Sheila’s sister wanted to accompany us to the party.
b. Who’s scarf is this?
c. “Be sure to wear something comfortable,” she said.
d. No mistakes.
-whose (possessive)
61.
a. The main problem Jim had was too many
parking tickets.
b. As the bears ran toward us, it was growling.
c. Try using less butter next time.
d. No mistakes.
-they were glowing
62.
a. Kamala was the most intelligent person in the group.
b. The Eiffel Tower is in Paris, France.
c. Nick Carraway is a character in The Great Gatsby.
d. No mistakes.
-no errors
63.
a. They weren’t the only ones who didn’t like the movie.
b. “Please come back another time,” Aunt Julie begged.
c. “Threes a crowd,” he always says.
d. No mistakes.
-three is
64.
a.The first house on the street is there’s.
b. I love the fireworks on the Fourth of July.
c. My grandparents live in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
d. No mistakes.
-theirs (possessive)
65.
a.Either Cassie nor I heard the door open.
b. How many people signed the Declaration of Independence?
c. Draw up a plan before you make your decision.
d. No mistakes.
-neither
66.
a.It’s not my fault that you and him got caught.
b. “Do you brush twice a day?” Dr. Evans asked.
c. What’s the weather report?
d. No mistakes.
-he
67.
a.Couldn’t you arrive fashionably late?
b. You’re assumption is correct.
c. I know that Bowser will be well treated.
d. No mistakes.
-your
68.
a.We invited Mayor Chen to speak at our school.
b. The alarm sounded, and the firefighters jumped into the truck.
c. The committee members should work as hard as one can.
d. No mistakes.
-they
69.
a. He wore two different shoes to class.
b. Rhonda’s sister bought a new Pontiac.
c. Lake Superior is the largest of the Great Lakes.
d. No mistakes.
70.
a. She and I have been friends for more than ten years.
b. Is that one of the O’Farrell children?
c. They took too much time to answer.
d. No mistakes.

SET 7-CORRECT USAGE

Fill in the blank with the correct adjective or adverb.
71. In many popular movies today, the heroes are________ armed than the villains.
a. more heavily
b. more heavy
c. heavier
d. more heavier
72. The cake I made last week tasted ________ than the one I made today.
a. best
b. more better
c. better
d. more good
73. After winning the yo-yo contest, Lydia skipped ________ down the street.
a. happy
b. happiest
c. more happily
d. happily
74. Of the three brothers, Andre is the ________.
a. taller
b. tallest
c. more tall
d. most tallest
75. Riding the Tornado at the amusement park was ________ than I thought it would be.
a. more terrifying
b. more terrifyingly
c. terrifying
d. most terrifying
76. This year our company sold ________ magazine subscriptions than ever before.
a. less
b. lesser
c. few
d. fewer
-fewer can be counted

SET 8
Replace the italicized words with the word or phrase that is grammatically correct. If the
sentence is correct as is, choose answer a.
77. The book had a frighteningly and unhappy ending.
a. a frighteningly and unhappy ending.
b. a frighteningly and unhappily ending.
c. an ending that was frightening and unhappily.
d. a frightening and unhappy ending.
e. an ending that was frightening and it was also an unhappy one.
78. Since her graduation from business school last spring, Adela has become known as the
more important member of her graduating class.
a. as the more important
b. as the most important
c. as the most importantly
d. as the more importantly
e. like the most important
79. Surprisingly, my younger sister dresses more conservatively than I do.
a. more conservatively than I do.
b. more conservative than I do.
c. more conservative than me.
d. more conservatively than me.
e. the most conservative in opposition to me.
80. There wasn’t nothing that could have been easier.
a. There wasn’t nothing that could have been easier.
b. There was nothing that could have been more easier.
c. Nothing could have been more easier.
d. Nothing couldn’t have been more easy.
e. Nothing could have been easier.
-double negative
81. I was clearly the happiest person in the crowd.
a. I was clearly the happiest person in the crowd.
b. It was clear that I was the happier person in the crowd.
c. Of all the people in the crowd, I was clearly the happier.
d. In the crowd, clearly, I was the happier person.
e. Of all the people in the crowd, clearly, I being the happiest.
82. Our team scored less baskets today than we did last Tuesday.
a. less baskets today than we did
b. today less baskets than were scored
c. fewer baskets today then on
d. fewer baskets today than we did
e. a lesser number of baskets today then we did
-can be counted
83. Strip mining, the cheaper method of mining, is controversial because it jeopardizes the
environment.
a. cheaper
b. more cheap
c. most cheapest
d. cheapest
e. more cheaply
SET 9 - IDENTIFYING ERROR
Find the sentence that has a mistake in grammar or usage. If you find no mistakes, mark
choice d.
84.
a. The steam rose up from the hot pavement.
b. She put the kitten down carefully beside its mom.
c. Neither of us is going to the party.
d. No mistakes.
85.
a. The lost dog wandered sad through the streets.
b. Frustrated, Boris threw his pencil across the room.
c. We’ll stop at their house first.
d. No mistakes.
-sadly
86.
a. I don’t want to participate no longer.
b. If you’re not sure, look in the dictionary.
c. “I will try to do better,” Lauren promised.
d. No mistakes.
-double negative
87.
a. Have you ever read the book Little House on the Prairie?
b. She urged me not to go.
c. Stop, look, and listen
d. No mistakes.
88.
a. Anne will head out first, and Nick will follow her.
b. Maya Angelou, a famous poet, has recently directed a movie.
c. The clerk asked for my address and phone number.
d. No mistakes.
89.
a. We sold less cookies this year than we did last year.
b. That parrot doesn’t talk.
c. Don’t spend too much money.
d. No mistakes.
-fewer cookies
90.
a. She spread the frosting too thickly.
b. “What is your answer?” she asked.
c. We waited while he stopped to make a phone call.
d. No mistakes.
91.
a. Between the three of us, we should find the answer.
b. Alberto laughed loudly when he saw us.
c. They’re looking for another apartment.
d. No mistakes.
-among
92.
a. The Adirondacks are mountains in New York.
b. President Carter gave the Panama Canal back to Panama.
c. That river is terribly polluted.
d. No mistakes.
93.
a. Trading Spaces is probably the most daring show on television.
b. Which color do you like better, the teal or the flamigo pink?
c. Mango-peach berry juice is the most awfulest drink.
d. No mistakes.
-redundant
SET 10- CORRECT USAGE
Fill in the blank with the word that creates the most logical sentence. (Hint: Use a dictionary
to determine which words best complete the sentence’s meaning.)
94. ___________ he waited for the doctor to call him in, Sam sat in the waiting room and
read the newspaper.
a. So that
b. While
c. Even if
d. Besides when
95. Ruby loves blueberry pie _________ it is made with freshly picked blueberries.
a. whether
b. because
c. when
d. as if
-condition
96. Mitchell loves listening to jazz and rhythm and blues. Greg, ____________, will only
listen to country.
a. however
b. then
c. too
d. therefore
97. __________ our low annual fee, you will receive a 20% discount if you sign up this
week.
a. Because
b. While
c. In spite of
d. In addition to
98. The ticket said the show would start at 8:00, but the curtains didn’t go up _________
8:30.
a. less than
b. until
c. about
d. since
99. My neighbor is deathly afraid of dogs;___________, I never let my Golden Retriever,
Sandy, outside without a leash.
a. moreover
b. yet
c. mainly
d. consequently
100. The wedding quilt was designed as a sentimental way to make use of fabric taken
______________ blankets and bedding that belonged to older couples in her family.
a. from
b. with
c. in
d. at

Sentence Completion Questions (5/20)

1. Amie agrees with the ________ that the grass is always greener on the other side of the
fence.
a. perpetuity
b. penchant
c. maxim
d. conformation
e. fortitude
2. Victor Frankenstein’s creature was a(n) _______ , detested by everyone he met.
a. itinerant
b. anathema
c. cosmopolitan
d. mercenary
e. anomaly
3. Jack Nicholson was at the _________ of his career when he received the Oscar for Best
Actor.
a. detriment
b. pinnacle
c. oligarchy
d. rogue
e. repose
4. Ariana was outstanding as the moderator; she handled the intensely heated debate with
great ________ , diplomatically and tactfully keeping the conversation fair and on track.
a. finesse
b. pretentiousness
c. prowess
d. succor
e. aversion
5. The class endured a loud and lengthy ________ by the teacher on the subject of
submitting written work on time.
a. guile
b. polemic
c. bravado
d. tirade
e. heresy
6. Lauren’s _______ features, what you first noticed about her, were her stunning black hair
and large, dark eyes.
a. savvy
b. affluent
c. predominant
d. universal
e. malicious
7. Whenever Tom and I would argue he would ________ with his hands and body to
accentuate his point.
a. interject
b. infuse
c. gesticulate
d. conjure
e. encumber
8. Must we be subjected to your ______ complaints all day long?
a. tiresome
b. fearsome
c. awesome
d. gleesome
e. wholesome
9. The new political candidate refused to print ______ about her aggressive opponent, but
that did not stop him from printing lies about her.
a. dispensation
b. assignation
c. rendition
d. libel
e. compunction
10. Awkwardly tall and prone to tripping over her own feet, Grace felt her name was truly a
_______ .
a. misnomer
b. preoccupation
c. universality
d. garrulity
e. benevolence
11. Although the villagers’ lives were profoundly different from her own, Jing-Mae felt a deep
________ for the people when she served in the Peace Corps.
a. reparation
b. affinity
c. injunction
d. exigency
e. analogy
12. Sometimes late at night Sharon would gaze joyfully at her children as they slept and
________ in their innocence.
a. sneer
b. ostracize
c. revel
d. repudiate
e. antiquate
13. In the famous balcony scene, Romeo ______ Juliet’s beauty in one of the most
romantic soliloquies ever written.
a. sanctions
b. extols
c. peruses
d. beguiles
e. fetters
14. It was _______ to think that it could possibly snow in the middle of the desert.
a. advantageous
b. philosophical
c. eroding
d. preventative
e. preposterous
15. Every evening at the restaurant, the reporter would eavesdrop on the Mayor’s
conversations in order to _______ any information that could make headlines.
a. ignore
b. glean
c. extol
d. extend
e. narrate
16. The surgeon placed a _______ on the femoral artery to bind it during the long and
exhausting surgery.
a. ligature
b. doctrine
c. premise
d. synopsis
e. degeneration
17. By sheer ______ force, the men pushed the truck to the side of the road and out of
danger.
a. virile
b. persnickety
c. meticulous
d. suave
e. contentious
18. Based on his recent poor decisions, it was obvious that Seth lacked even a _______ of
good sense.
a. debasement
b. diversion
c. disapprobation
d. submission
e. modicum
19. To settle the dispute, the students elected a faculty member to serve as a(n) ________ .
a. maverick
b. dystopia
c. arbiter
d. fiduciary
e. martyr
20. The _______ newspaper accounts of the city scandal caused some readers to question
the truth of the stories.
a. lurid
b. vivacious
c. blithesome
d. prolific
e. amicable
21. The _______ man with amnesia was unable to recognize where he was.
a. endogenous
b. euphoric
c. nonplussed
d. amicable
e. pliable
22. Justin’s ________ solution to the problem revealed that he did not spend much time
considering the consequences.
a. facile
b. obsolete
c. resilient
d. pristine
e. ardent
23. The events of the evening ________ without difficulty despite the lack of planning on the
part of the host.
a. expired
b. transpired
c. retired
d. ensured
e. extorted
24. It is every American person’s ________ to live the life he or she chooses.
a. composite
b. eloquence
c. prerogative
d. allusion
e. demise
25. After the boisterous customers left the café without tipping, Carlos _________ at them
through the restaurant’s front window.
a. interjected
b. jostled
c. glowered
d. emulated
e. skulked

Sentence Completion Questions

Set 2/20
1. Phillip’s _______tone endeared him to his comical friends, but irritated his serious father.
a. aloof
b. jesting
c. grave
d. earnest
e. conservative
2. Brian’s pale Irish skin was ________to burn if he spent too much time in the sun.
a. prone
b. urbane
c. eminent
d. erect
e. daunted
3. A fan of historical fiction, Joline is now reading a novel about slavery in the ________
South.
a. decorous
b. rogue
c. droll
d. antebellum
e. onerous
4. Over the years the Wilsons slowly _______ upon the Jacksons’ property, moving the
stone markers that divided their lots farther and farther onto the Jacksons’ land.
a. encroached
b. jettisoned
c. conjoined
d. repudiated
e. teemed
5. Mary became _______ at typing because she practiced every day for six months.
a. proficient
b. reflective
c. dormant
d. redundant
e. valiant
6. To find out what her husband bought for her birthday, Susan attempted to _______ his
family members about his recent shopping excursions.
a. prescribe
b. probe
c. alienate
d. converge
e. revere
7. Juan’s friends found him in a _______ mood after he learned he would be homecoming
king.
a. jovial
b. stealthy
c. paltry
d. gullible
e. depleted
8. His suit of armor made the knight _______ to his enemy’s attack, and he was able to
escape safely to his castle.
a. vulnerable
b. churlish
c. invulnerable
d. static
e. imprudent
9. Choosing a small, fuel-efficient car is a _________ purchase for a recent college
graduate.
a. corrupt
b. tedious
c. unhallowed
d. sardonic
e. judicious
10. Such a ________ violation of school policy should be punished by nothing less than
expulsion.
a. copious
b. flagrant
c. raucous
d. nominal
e. morose
11. With all of the recent negative events in her life, she felt ______forces must be at work.
a. resurgent
b. premature
c. malignant
d. punctilious
e. antecedent
12. The _______ rumors did a great deal of damage even though they turned out to be
false.
a. bemused
b. prosaic
c. apocryphal
d. ebullient
e. tantamount
13. When her schoolwork got to be too much, Pam had a tendency to________, which
always put her further behind.
a. dedicate
b. rejuvenate
c. ponder
d. excel
e. procrastinate
14. Racha’s glance was a _________ invitation to speak later in private about events of the
meeting.
a. treacherous
b. scintillating
c. tactful
d. tacit
e. taboo
15. She reached the _________ of her career with her fourth novel, which won the Pulitzer
Prize.
a. harbinger
b. apogee
c. metamorphosis
d. dictum
e. synthesis
16. The _________ townspeople celebrated the soldier’s return to his home by adorning
trees with yellow ribbons and balloons.
a. somber
b. jubilant
c. pitiless
d. cunning
e. unsullied
17. The governor-elect was hounded by a group of ________ lobbyists and others hoping to
gain favor with her administration.
a. facetious
b. abstruse
c. magnanimous
d. fawning
e. saccharine
18. The mock graduation ceremony—with a trained skunk posing as the college
president—was a complete _________ that offended many college officials.
a. tempest
b. epitome
c. quintessence
d. travesty
e. recitative
19. The busy, ________fabric of the clown’s tie matched his oversized
jacket, which was equally atrocious.
a. mottled
b. bleak
c. credible
d. malleable
e. communicable
20. Kendrick’s talent _________under the tutelage of Anya Kowalonek, who as a young
woman had been the most accomplished pianist in her native Lithuania.
a. bantered
b. touted
c. flourished
d. embellished
e. colluded
21. The children were _________ by the seemingly nonsensical clues until Kinan pointed
out that the messages were in code.
a. censured
b. striated
c. feigned
d. prevaricated
e. flummoxed
22. As the ________ in Romeo and Juliet, Romeo is a hero able to capture the audience’s
sympathy by continually professing his love for Juliet.
a. protagonist
b. enigma
c. facade
d. activist
e. catechist
23. The chess master promised to __________ havoc upon his opponent’s pawns for taking
his bishop.
a. wreak
b. warrant
c. ensue
d. placate
e. endow
24. I have always admired Seymour’s ; I’ve never seen him rattled by anything.
a. aplomb
b. confluence
c. propriety
d. compunction
e. nostalgia
25. The soldiers received a military _________ to inspect all their vehicles before traveling.
a. allotment
b. dominion
c. affectation
d. calculation
e. mandate

SET 1 of 20
1. She hadn’t eaten all day, and by the time she got home she was _________.
a. blighted
b. confutative
c. ravenous
d. ostentatious
e. blissful
2. The movie offended many of the parents of its younger viewers by including unnecessary
_________ in the dialogue.
a. vulgarity
b. verbosity
c. vocalizations
d. garishness
e. tonality
3. His neighbors found his ___________ manner bossy and irritating, and they stopped
inviting him to backyard barbeques.
a. insentient
b. magisterial
c. reparatory
d. restorative
e. modest
4. Steven is always _________ about showing up for work because he feels that tardiness
is a sign of irresponsibility.
a. legible
b. tolerable
c. punctual
d. literal
e. belligerent
5. Candace would ________ her little sister into an argument by teasing her and calling her
names.
a. advocate
b. provoke
c. perforate
d. lamente
e. expunge
6. The dress Ariel wore ________ with small, glassy beads, creating a shimmering effect.
a. titillated
b. reiterated
c. scintillated
d. enthralled
e. striated
7. Being able to afford this luxury car will __________ getting a better- paying job.
a. maximize
b. recombinant
c. reiterate
d. necessitate
e. reciprocate
8. Levina unknowingly ________ the thief by holding open the elevator doors and ensuring
his escape.
a. coerced
b. proclaimed
c. abetted
d. sanctioned
e. solicited
9. Shakespeare, a(n) _________ writer, entertained audiences by writing many tragic and
comic plays.
a. numeric
b. obstinate
c. dutiful
d. prolific
e. generic
10. I had the ___________ experience of sitting next to an over-talkative passenger on my
flight home from Brussels.
a. satisfactory
b. commendable
c. galling
d. acceptable
e. acute
11. Prince Phillip had to choose: marry the woman he loved and _________ his right to the
throne, or marry Lady Fiona and inherit the crown.
a. reprimand
b. upbraid
c. abdicate
d. winnow
e. extol
12. If you will not do your work of your own _________ , I have no choice but to penalize
you if it is not done on time.
a. predilection
b. coercion
c. excursion
d. volition
e. infusion
13. After sitting in the sink for several days, the dirty, food-encrusted dishes
became_________ .
a. malodorous
b. prevalent
c. imposing
d. perforated
e. emphatic
14. Giulia soon discovered the source of the ________ smell in the room: a week-old tuna
sandwich that one of the children had hidden in the closet.
a. quaint
b. fastidious
c. clandestine
d. laconic
e. fetid
15. After making _________ remarks to the President, the reporter was not invited to return
to the White House pressroom.
a. hospitable
b. itinerant
c. enterprising
d. chivalrous
e. irreverent
16. With her _________ eyesight, Krystyna spotted a trio of deer on the hillside and she
reduced the speed of her car.
a. inferior
b. keen
c. impressionable
d. ductile
e. conspiratorial
17. With a(n) ________ grin, the boy quickly slipped the candy into his pocket without his
mother’s knowledge.
a. jaundiced
b. nefarious
c. stereotypical
d. sentimental
e. impartial
18. Her ________ display of tears at work did not impress her new boss, who felt she
should try to control her emotions.
a. maudlin
b. meritorious
c. precarious
d. plausible
e. schematic
19. Johan argued, “If you know about a crime but don’t report it, you are ________ in that
crime because you allowed it to happen.”
a. acquitted
b. steadfast
c. tenuous
d. complicit
e. nullified
20. The authorities, fearing a ________ of their power, called for a military state in the
hopes of restoring order.
a. subversion
b. premonition
c. predilection
d. infusion
e. inversion
21. The story’s bitter antagonist felt such great _________ for all of the other characters
that as a result, his life was very lonely and he died alone.
a. insurgence
b. malevolence
c. reciprocation
d. declamation
e. preference
22. It is difficult to believe that charging 20% on an outstanding credit card balance isn’t
__________!
a. bankruptcy
b. usury
c. novice
d. kleptomania
e. flagrancy
23. The ________ weather patterns of the tropical island meant tourists had to carry both
umbrellas and sunglasses.
a. impertinent
b. supplicant
c. preeminent
d. illustrative
e. kaleidoscopic
24. Wedding ceremonies often include the exchange of _________ rings to symbolize the
couple’s promises to each other.
a. hirsute
b. acrimonious
c. plaintive
d. deciduous
e. votive
25. Kym was __________ in choosing her friends, so her parties were attended by vastly
different and sometimes bizarre personalities.
a. indispensable
b. indiscriminate
c. commensurate
d. propulsive
e. Indisputable

PREPOSITIONS
Fill in the correct prepositions
about – at – by - for – from – in – of – on – to - with
1. She learned Russian ____________ the age of 45.
2. The book was written ____________ Mark Twain.
3. I’ll show you the picture ____________ the palace.
4. We can only get to the camp ____________ foot.
5. He reminds me ____________ his old history teacher.
6. What are you talking ____________ ?
7. ____________ the end of next year we will have made over P 100,000.
8. She always gets _______ early in the morning and goes to bed late ____________
night.
9. I went to work ____________ Tuesday but I didn’t go ____________ Friday.
10. You’ll have to wait. He’ll be with you ____________ a minute.
11. Philip waited ____________ her at the movie theatre.
12. He started learning English ____________ 2005.
13. You have to pay ____________ the tickets on the day you order them.
14. We are very proud ____________ this company.
15. It’s very kind ____________ you to help us.
16. The old man suffered ____________ a heart attack.
17. Please write ____________ pencil.
18. It’s ____________ time you told him the truth.
19. The manager didn’t take part ____________ the discussion.
20. He‘s very good ____________ telling jokes.
21. I’ll see you ____________ the conference
22. We sat down ____________ the grass and ate our lunch.
23. My parents got married ____________ the 1970s.
24. There’s a good restaurant ____________ the end of the street.
25. We usually have turkey ____________ Thanksgiving.
26. I would like to travel ____________ Italy next summer.
27. I took a plane ____________ Munich to Rome.
28. I’d like to speak ____________ the manager please.
29. I don’t usually feel tired ____________ the morning.
30. My mother is abroad so my dad is taking care ____________ us ____________ the
moment.
31. Sonja gets ____________ the seven o’clock bus in the morning.
32. She always looks ____________ herself in the mirror.
33. I met Donna ____________ a party ____________ Friday night.
34. My friend always borrows money ____________ me.
35. Daria’s books are lying ____________ the floor.
36. He arrived at the school building just ____________ time.
37. The audience threw tomatoes ____________ him.
38. Passengers are not allowed to use cell phones ____________ airplanes.
39. He is responsible ____________ what he does.
40. I’m sorry ____________ the job you didn’t get.
41. I’m very bad ____________ mathematics.
42. We had to climb slowly ____________ the hill.
43. He is always ____________ time.
 44. How many people are ____________ your team?
45. A university is where you study ____________ a degree.
46. Her next birthday will be ____________ a Sunday.
47. The new factory is expected to go online ____________ May.
48. Many of us eat ____________ fork and spoon.
49. We have been searching ____________ a web designer for a few weeks now.
50. The TV is ____________ the corner of the room.
Fill in the blanks with the correct preposition ( in , on)
1. The dog likes to ride ____ the car.
2. We were able to fit all of our luggage ___ the truck.
3. He liked going for drives ___ his Jeep during the summer.
4. He left his jacket ___ the limousine.
5. There wasn't much space to move around ____ the canoe.
6. She got ____ the bus near the library.
7. We parked our car ____ the ferryboat.
8. She sailed off into the sunset ____ her yacht.
9. The kids had a snack ____ the plane.
10. There were quite a few passengers ____ the train.
11. She sat _____ her bike for a minute adjusting her helmet, and then she headed home.
12. They arrived _____ a motorcycle