U.S. English Basic Skills Test

 U.S. English Basic Skills Test Answers

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

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

Answers: • is, did the chef use

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

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

Answers: • nor, whether, that, the

3. 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

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

Answers: • I need you to pick up several boxes of paperclips, pens, and pencils; three pounds each of potatoes, carrots, and peas; and my dry cleaning.

5. 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.

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

Answers: • Clarabelle's mother absolutely hated nicknames and always calls her daughter by her full name.

7. Which of the following sentences illustrates incorrect pronoun usage?

Answers: • None of the above

8. Which of the following sentences illustrate(s) the proper use of commas?

Answers: • a and b

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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.

13. 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.

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

Answers: • The queen had hardly finished her speech when the people began to disperse.

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

Do you know if Harlon ____________Japanese before moving to Japan?

Answers: • has studied

16. 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.

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

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

Answers: • across, down, past, between

18. 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

19. 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.

20. 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

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

Answers: • The man in the black cape mounted his powerful stallion and rode away.

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

Answers: • Tatiana declared that the people in her office are smarter than the people who work in Tad's office.

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

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

Answers: • us, their, we, ourselves

24. 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 only wears it when his ears are cold.

25. 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

26. Choose the series of verbs that best completes the following passage.

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

Answers: • mailing, forgetting

27. 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: • of, about

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

Answers: • Did Annabel knowingly lie on the witness stand?

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

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

Answers: • totally, irresponsible

30. 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.

31. 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

32. 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

33. 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.

34. 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.

35. 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.

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

Answers: • Celine lives on Arthur Street; however, she works on Beatrice Boulevard.

37. 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.

38. 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

39. 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!

40. 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

41. 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.

42. 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

43. 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.

44. Which of the following sentences is punctuated correctly?

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

45. 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.

46. 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

47. 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

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

Knowing that February was the _________ month of the year, Cheryl planned her vacation ___________.

Answers: • shortest, accordingly

49. 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

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

Answers: • None of the above

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

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

Answers: • against, toward

52. 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!

53. 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

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

"I can meet with you at noon," said Peter.

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

55. 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

56. 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

57. 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: • better, well, good

58. 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.

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

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

Answers: • amazed, rare, incredibly, beautiful

60. 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.

61. 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 to be necessarily stupid

62. 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.

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

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

Answers: • nasty, pungent, clearly

64. 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

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

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

Answers: • over, onto

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

sleeping likes the . midday Katie until on weekends

Answers: • Katie likes sleeping until midday on the weekends.

67. 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

68. 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 that tall man.

69. 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.

70. 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 that day.

71. 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, however, that

72. 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

73. 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?