UK English Basic Skills Test Answer (New)

1. Choose the series of adjectives and adverbs that best completes the following sentence.

The archaeologists were ________ to discover such a __________ and __________ _________ artefact at that mostly uncovered site.

Answers: • amazed, rare, incredibly, beautiful

2. Which of the following sentences is NOT punctuated correctly?

Answers: • All of the apple's at the grocer's were rotten, so I bought oranges instead.

3. Choose the series of adjectives and adverbs that best completes the following sentence.

The helium-__________ balloon rose __________ into the air; the villagers knew then that their __________ leader was off on another mission.

Answers: • powered, powerfully, powerful

4. Choose the series of prepositions that best completes the following sentence.

Jack, leaning casually ________ the tree, watched as Sally walked slowly ________ him.

Answers: • against, towards

5. Read the following question and choose the response that uses the correct corresponding verb tense.

Will you be going to the company picnic this year?

Answers: • Yes, and I plan on swimming, fishing and eating all day!

6. Which of the following sentences is NOT punctuated correctly?

Answers: • All of the above are punctuated correctly.

7. Choose the series of prepositions that best completes the following sentence.

The deer ran quickly _______  the trees, its hooves pounding _______  the forest floor.

Answers: • through, on

8. Choose the series of articles and conjunctions that best completes the following sentence.

Julia, who is studying to be _______foreign correspondent, is currently doing _______ internship in _______ Middle East _______  will return before the end of _______  year.

Answers: • a, an, the, but, the

9. Choose the series of prepositions that best completes the following passage.

Although Marvin said he had hidden the keys _______ the flower pot, we were unable to find them  _______ the dark. In the end, we waited for him at the coffee shop ___________ the corner.

Answers: • under, in, around

10. Which of the following sentences illustrates correct usage of articles and conjunctions?

Answers: • For my birthday I would like a book, an hourglass and the keys to a new boat.

11. Choose the series of adjectives and adverbs that best completes the following sentence.

The _______ , _______ odour was ________ coming from the chemistry lab up the street.

Answers: • nasty, pungent, clearly

12. Which of the following sentences does NOT illustrate proper use of articles and conjunctions?

Answers: • Bertha decided to change a locks of her house after burglars stole a computer or an oil painting.

13. Change the following sentence from a quotation to indirect speech.

Rhonda says, 'I get to work early every day'.

Answers: • Rhonda says she gets to work early every day.

14. Change the following sentence from a quotation to indirect speech.

Carol has said, 'I am responsible for this project'.

Answers: • Carol has said that she is responsible for this project.

15. Choose the series of pronouns that best completes the following sentence.

After realising that our hosts hadn't actually invited ______ to ______ party, ______ excused ______ from the table and slipped out the back door.

Answers: • us, their, we, ourselves

16. Choose the series of pronouns that best completes the following sentence.

Victor, who stole _______ ideas and used them to make _______ a millionaire, never once offered _______ a word of thanks.

Answers: • our, himself, us

17. Rearrange the following words to create the most logical and grammatically correct sentence.

work . is always to brother willing not My

Answers: • My brother is not always willing to work.

18. Choose the series of prepositions that best completes the following sentence.

Although the issue was very serious, the committee disposed ______ it in a few minutes and moved _______ to other business.

Answers: • of, away

19. Change the following sentence from a quotation to indirect speech.

'I can meet you at noon', said Peter.

Answers: • Peter said he could meet me at noon.

20. Choose the series of articles and conjunctions that best completes the following sentence.

Neither we ________ Sal, our neighbour, could understand ________ it had been our dog Rover or Sal's cat Mittens _________ had destroyed all the flower beds in the middle of _______ night.

Answers: • nor, whether, that, the

21. Choose the series of verbs that best completes the following sentence.

If Harry __________ to the party too early, don't let him in; he __________ outside like everyone else.

Answers: • gets, will have to wait

22. Choose the series of pronouns that best completes the following sentence.

_______  is the name of the opera, and _______ role did you say Maria would play?

Answers: • What, which

23. Choose the series of adjectives and adverbs that best completes the following sentence.

We were surprised when the ________ parade ________ turned into a ________ party!

Answers: • dull, suddenly, wild

24. Choose the series of verbs that best completes the following sentence.

Everyone __________  too busy cooking and __________ the campsite __________ the family of bears __________ from the woods.

Answers: • was, setting up, to notice, watching

25. Choose the verb that best completes the following sentence.

Do you know if Harlon ____________Japanese before moving to Japan?

Answers: • will be studying

26. Rearrange the following words to create the most logical and grammatically correct sentence.

days . for last has good weather few The been the not

Answers: • The weather has not been good for the last few days.

27. Choose the series of verbs that best completes the following sentence.

Alison regrets _________ you with her remarks; she never meant _________ so.

Answers: • hurting, to do

28. Choose the series of articles and conjunctions that best completes the following sentence.

_______ she was feeling ill, Teresa wanted to eat only _____ apple _____ some soup.

Answers: • Because, an, or

29. Choose the series of prepositions that best completes the following sentence.

Charlotte knew ___________ the secret investigation _________ her past, but she closed her eyes to it and pretended it wasn't happening.

Answers: • about, on

30. Choose the series of prepositions that best completes the following sentence.

I placed my notes _______ my desk and referred to them _______ the meeting.

Answers: • beside, during

31. Which of the following sentences illustrates the proper use of parallel construction?

Answers: • No one in the room knew that the doors had been locked and that policemen will be running up the stairs.

32. Choose the series of prepositions that best completes the following sentence.

Jeremy rode his motorcycle _______ the bridge, _______ the hill and _______ the hospital before finally parking it _______ two police cars.

Answers: • across, down, past, between

33. Read the following question and choose the response that uses the correct corresponding verb tense.

Does Jack wear that furry hat often?

Answers: • No, he wears it only when his ears are cold.

34. Which of the following sentences illustrates proper sentence structure?

Answers: • Unless the world doesn't control its population, mankind will continue to face one problem after the other.

35. Complete the following sentence by choosing the phrase with the best word order from the options given.

The excited children, who had run toward the loud _____________ .

Answers: • music, told the others about the ice cream truck outside

36. Choose the phrase that best completes the sentence below without creating a run-on sentence.

Mr. Peach has sent his four children to Ivy League colleges __________ he has sacrificed his health working day and night in that dusty factory.

Answers: • ;however,

37. Choose the series of adjectives and adverbs that best completes the following sentence.

Of the two books, Sam's is definitely the __________ ; however, even though Sandra's didn't turn out as __________ as expected, she still did a __________ job of writing it.

Answers: • best, good, good

38. Complete the following sentence by choosing the phrase with the best word order from the options given.

Those who are not wise ____________  .

Answers: • need not necessarily be stupid

39. Change the following sentence from a quotation to indirect speech.

Jerry said, 'I saw my cousin at the fair'.

Answers: • Jerry said he had seen his cousin at the fair.

40. Which of the following sentences illustrates correct verb and verb tense usage?

Answers: • Until the snow melts, the train will not be able to move.

41. Rearrange the following words to create the most logical and grammatically correct sentence.

your company name ? of What the is

Answers: • What is the name of your company?

42. Change the following sentence from a quotation to indirect speech.

'It may snow tomorrow', he said.

Answers: • He said it might snow the next day.

43. Choose the series of adjectives and adverbs that best completes the following sentence.

While __________ of our relatives live on the __________ hill in the county, __________ of our friends live in the __________ __________ areas of the valley.

Answers: • many, windiest, most, more, protected

44. Rearrange the following words to create the most logical and grammatically correct sentence.

to sleep likes . midday Katie until at weekends

Answers: • Katie likes to sleep until midday at weekends.

45. Rearrange the following words to create the most logical and grammatically correct sentence.

would I have it anything if had . I you known said would not bother

Answers: • I would not have said anything if I had known it would bother you.

46. Choose the series of prepositions that best completes the following sentence.

Whiskey, my pet squirrel, jumped ________ my head and ________ the windowsill.

Answers: • over, onto

47. Choose the series of pronouns that best completes the following sentence.

That house used to be ______ , but ______ have given it to ______.

Answers: • mine, I, her

48. Choose the series of articles and conjunctions that best completes the following sentence.

I think Fran could be ______ great public speaker, _______ she is still too shy to try it.

Answers: • a, but

49. Which of the following sentences does NOT illustrate correct pronoun usage?

Answers: • All of the above

50. Read the following question and choose the response that uses the correct corresponding verb tense.

Did you hear the weather forecast for tomorrow?

Answers: • No, I wasn't listening to the radio.

51. Choose the phrase that best completes the sentence below without creating a run-on sentence.

It's never too late to learn how to swim ________________ you may fall off a boat!

Answers: • , you never know when

52. Change the following sentence from a quotation to indirect speech.

'Sharon must go to the bank today', said Albert.

Answers: • Albert said Sharon had to go to the bank today.

53. Choose the series of adjectives and adverbs that best completes the following sentence.

I think Pamela deserves to be punished for her __________  stupid and __________ behaviour.

Answers: • totally, irresponsible

54. Change the following sentence from a quotation to indirect speech.

'I will be moving soon', said Alma.

Answers: • Alma said she would be moving soon.

55. Change the following sentence from a quotation to indirect speech.

'I'm not feeling well', Agatha said.

Answers: • Agatha said she wasn't feeling well.

56. Choose the option that correctly changes the original sentence from active voice to passive voice.

ORIGINAL SENTENCE:
That tall man is carrying a lot of lumber.

REWRITTEN SENTENCES:

Answers: • A lot of lumber is being carried by the tall man.

57. Read the original sentence below and then choose the rewritten sentence that illustrates proper sentence structure. 

ORIGINAL SENTENCE:
It is easy to carry solid objects, but the same cannot be said of liquids.

REWRITTEN SENTENCES:

Answers: • Unlike liquids; solid objects can easily be carried.

58. Rearrange the following words to create the most logical and grammatically correct sentence.

with can't phone . on Whenever always to the time spend I speak I my friend , him

Answers: • Whenever I can't spend time with my friend, I always speak to him on the phone.

59. Which of the following sentences is punctuated correctly?

Answers: • "Come here", she said, "and let me get a good look at you."

60. Which of the following sentences illustrates the proper use of apostrophes?

Answers: • Helga borrowed her friend's skates for the day; however, she failed to return them.

61. Choose the series of verbs that best completes the following sentence passage.

I find it very hard to remember ________ letters that are entrusted to me. In fact, I remember _________ to do so scores of times!

Answers: • posting, forgetting

62. Rearrange the following words to create the most logical and grammatically correct sentence.

last what ! it's did you night , over After

Answers: • After what you did last night, it's over!

63. Which of the following sentences illustrates correct pronoun usage?

Answers: • All of the above

64. Which of the following sentences illustrates the proper use of commas?

Answers: • a and b

65. Choose the series of articles and conjunctions that best completes the following sentence.

Lilacs ______ violets are usually purple, ______ I have seen some ______ are white.

Answers: • and, although, that

66. Which of the following sentences does NOT illustrate correct verb and verb tense usage?

Answers: • By the time I get there, all the best candy will have been eaten already.

67. Choose the series of pronouns that best completes the following sentence.

Don't ________ think Larry should call ________ wife if ________ is going to be late for dinner?

Answers: • you, his, he

68. Complete the following sentence by choosing the phrase with the best word order from the options given.

Only after they had completed an exhaustive study __________ how to adapt the technology to the needs of our company.

Answers: • they did begin to understand

69. Choose the series of verbs and phrases that best completes the following passage.

This dish _________ too spicy. Why __________ so much pepper?

Answers: • a and c

70. Read the following question and choose the response that uses the correct corresponding verb tense.

Did you see the show last night?

Answers: • No, because by the time I got there all the tickets had already been sold.