MSAP

REVIEW IN ENGLISH
MICHAEL B. MOLINA, LPT
TIPS ON TAKING MULTIPLE CHOICE TEST
 Answer it in your mind first.
 Eliminate wrong answers.
 Use the process of elimination.
 Select the best answer.
 Read every answer option.
 Answer the questions you know first.
 Make an educated guess.
 Pay particularly close attention to the words not, sometimes, always, and never.
 It's usually best to stick with your first choice--but not always.
 When there are seemingly two correct answers.
 "All of the above" and "None of the above“
 The more information... the better.
 Read the instructions carefully.
 MSAP AREAS IN ENGLISH

 GRAMMAR
 VOCABULARY
 READING COMPREHENSION
 Shana, Joe, and Marcel was incredible in each
of their performances and the audience rewarded
them through cheers and applause. No error
 While the young analyst is bothered by the fact that his
girlfriend is not very skilled behind the wheel, each of her
other redeeming qualities compensate for her driving
ability. No error
 Rebecca's preference for caviar and expensive
chocolates are not a reflection of what she actually
enjoys, but simply a manifestation of her tendency to
spend money carelessly. No error
 The manager and cook of the restaurant are becoming
famous now. No error
 The best part of running with bulls are the expressions on
other peoples' faces as they try to stay one step ahead of
the beasts behind them. No error
 I hate having to go to the doctor
because they always ask very invasive questions that make
me uncomfortable. No error
 While I appreciate your efforts to ensure that the event
runs smoothly, it is interfering with my ability to give the
artists the flexibility they require.
 Susan's term paper was definitely
the most thorough researched work she had done all year,
but she was still worried that the teacher wouldn't
like it. No error
 James's grocery list included the following items; broccoli,
frozen yogurt, bread, pork chops, and eggs. No error
 I was going to go for a run today, however, the stormy
weather caused me to postpone my workout. No error
 The martial art of karate is based around two
main techniques; kicks and punches. No error. 
 Although he had never taken piano lessons, anytime that
Jeff, who was unusually intelligent, sees a piano, he
was able to play a song. No error
 Next time, I plan to look over
my composition quick for faults before I turn it in to my
professor. No error
 People who hate the pollution emitted by cities also tend
to have despised the large companies that create the
pollution. No error
 The dentist was frustrated that his patient had
developed another set of cavities because he told her to
brush her teeth more frequently, and she doesn’t. No
error
 Facing a harsh winter and a lack of food in a new land, the
students were engrossed in the story of how the
Pilgrims survived their first winter in America. No error. 
 Projecting a stately demeanor as he descended from the
helicopter, the Secret Service officer immediately stepped
up to protect the smiling President. No error. 
 Shaking every building in the downtown area, Winona
crouched in the corner of her bedroom when the massive
earthquake hit. No error. 
 Do you know where my binoculars are? I would like to take
it with me on the nature hike. No error.
 The manager and owner of the restaurant cooks the food
for me. No error.
 ON GRAMMAR
 Know the BASICS on SVA.
 S(s)+V(s+s) or S(p)+V(p-s) except for regular verbs
 Basic-Grammar-Rules.pdf
 Physics (is, are) my brother’s favorite subject.
 (There’s, There are) a raincoat and umbrella in the closet.
 In the back of the cupboard (is, are) two light bulbs.
 The United States (is, are) one nation indivisible.
 Here (is, are) three examples of the Romantic Period.
 The news (hasn’t, haven’t) changed for days
 Smallpox (was, were) once a serious disease.
 Storms at sea (is, are) a reason for extreme caution.
 Social studies (is, are) my best subject.
 Another cause of accidents (was, were) poor, unlit roads.
 Someone among them (has, have) to assume leadership.
 There (has, have) been three attempts on his life.
 A group of pilgrims (is, are) wending its way toward the
shrine.
 Finally, the jury (has, have) made its decision.
 Local politics (has, have) cause many problems here.
 After the long, impressive hallway (is, are) two elevators.
 All of the soup (was, were) spilled on the new floor.
 (Here’s, Here are) one last question from the director.
 The acoustics in the studio (was, were) excellent.
 The committee (has, have) taken their seats.
 A candidate’s ethics (is, are) an important consideration.
 Near the fence between two tires (lies, lie) the treasure.
 Fifty cents (is, are) not much of a tip these days.
 Not one of the tomatoes (has, have) ripened.
 Wuthering Heights (is, are) Emily Bronte’s only novel.
 There (was, were) several weaknesses in the survey.
 Most of the reports (was, were) of poor quality.
 Civics (has, have) always been a favorite subject of mine.
 At the top of the hill (stands, stand) two majestic oaks.
 The Brothers Karamazov (ranks, rank) as a great novel.
Be AWARE of the verb tenses.
tenses_table.pdf
 VOCABULARY

 Reread the sentences surrounding the word they’re asking

about. Sometimes, you can get away with one sentence, but if you
have time, a sentence before and after may provide a clue.
 Restate the sentence, inserting your own word(s). Don’t worry
about the answer choices at this point. Just find a word or a phrase
that makes sense.
 Locate an answer choice that fits your definition. Suppose you
came up with decorate for this step. In the five answer choices, you
see beautify, which matches your definition well enough.
 Insert your answer choice into the sentence. If it fits, you’re done.
If not, try another word.
Residential Design for Aging in Place, by Drue Lawlor and Michael A. Thomas (Wiley).

At its completion in the early 1950s, Levittown included 17,400 homes. The new development 
was now a major suburban community that included 82,000 husbands and wives and their 
children. In a second wave of development and construction in 1951, the Levitt family created 
an additional Levittown community of 17,000 homes in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, near 
Philadelphia.
The suburban sprawl had begun. Families would fill them quickly. The growing popularity 
and availability of automobiles also encouraged the flight to get out of big cities. The 
National Highway Program of 1956 built highways and interstate roads connecting 
rural areas to metropolitan areas, contributing to a flurry of even more suburban development.

1.What is the meaning of “development” in the context of Line 1?

    (A)    change
    (B)    gradual process
    (C)    housing
    (D)    fund raising
    (E)    improvement
2.In the context of Line 9, which of the following is the best definition of “flurry”?
    (A)    snowstorm
    (B)    sudden burst of activity
    (C)    gust of wind
    (D)    shower
    (E)    trend
 C. housing
 The “new development” is “a major suburban community” (Lines 1
and 2), so your own definition may be “town” or “new homes.” When
you check the answer choices (all of which are definitions of
“development”), only Choice (C) works. There’s your answer!
 By the way, Choice (A) is a runner-up because “change” fits the
sentence in some ways. But so does “housing,” which is a more
specific — and therefore better — answer.
 B. sudden burst of activity
 The passage refers to “a flurry” of suburban development, right after
discussing the connection of rural areas to metropolitan areas —
prime territory for suburbs. The passage also mentions that families
would move into suburbs “quickly” (Line 6). Therefore, your own
definition might be something like “quick increase” or “spike in.”
Choice (B) matches those definitions and works nicely when inserted
into the sentence.
 READING COMPREHENSION

 READ.
 READ.
 READ.

 PRACTICE THIS!
exercise a.docx
THANK YOU.