U.S. English Basic Skills Test Answers

1. Rearrange the following words to create the most logical and grammatically correct sentences.
Last what ! It’s did you night, over After
Answer: b) After what you did last night, it's over!
2. Choose the verb that best completes the following sentence.
Do you know if Harlon ____________Japanese before moving to Japan?
Answer: a) has studied
3. Which of the following sentences illustrates correct usage of articles and conjunctions?
Answer:  a) Celine lives on Arthur Streer; however, she works on Beatrice Boulevard.
4. Which of the following sentences illustrate(s) the proper use of commas?
Answer: e) a and b
5.  Choose the series of adjectives and adverbs that best completes the following sentence.
The _______ , _______ odor was ________ coming from the chemistry lab up the street
Answer: d) nasty, pungent clearly
6.  Which of the following sentences illustrates proper sentence structure?
Answer: b) Unless the world controls its population, mankind will continue to face one problem after another.
7.  Choose the series of prepositions that best completes the following sentence.
Whiskey, my pet squirrel, jumped ________ my head and ________ the windowsill.
Answer: a) over, onto
8.  Choose the series of prepositions 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
Answer: c) them, our, they, themselves
9. 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.
Answer: c) many, windiest, most, more, protected
10. 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____________.
Answer: b) shortest, accordingly
11. Which of the following sentence illustrates correct pronoun usage?
Answer: e) all of the above
12.  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.
Answer: b) of, away
13.  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.
Answer: c) across, down, past, between
14. Which of the following sentences does NOT illustrate proper use of articles and conjunctions?
Answer: b) Bertha decided to change a locks of her house after burglars stole a computer or an oil painting.
15.  Read the following question and choose the response that uses the correct corresponding verb tense.
Does Jack wear that furry hat often?
Answer: d) No, he only weares it when his ears are cold.
16. Change the following sentence from a quotation to indirect speech.
      Rhonda says, "I get to work early every day."
Answer: c) Rhonda has said that she got to work early everyday.
17. 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!
Answer: d) mailing, forgetting
18.  Which of the following sentences illustrates proper sentence structure?
Answer: c) The man in the black cape mounted his powerful stallion and rode away.
19. 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?
Answer: c) What, which
20.  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.
Answer: c) Because, an, or
21. Change the following sentences from a question to indirect speech.
 “I will be moving soon.” said Alma
Answer: d) Alma says she would move soon.
22. Choose the series of articles and conjunctions that best completes the following sentence.
Lilacs ______ violets are usually purple, ______ I have seen some ______ are white.
Answer: c) and, although, that
23. Choose the series of adjectives and adverbs that best completes the following sentence.
The helium _______ balloon rose ________ into the air; the villagers knew then their _______ leader was off on another mission.
Answer: c) powered, powerfully, powerful
24. Choose the series of verbs that best completes the following sentence.
 Everyone ________ too busy cooking and _______ the family of bears _______ from woods.
Answer: d) was, setting up, to notice, watching
25. Choose the series of verbs and phrases that best completes the following passage.
This dish _________ too spicy. Why __________ so much pepper?
Answer: e) a and c
26.   Choose the series of prepositions that best completes the following sentence.
The deer ran quickly _______  the trees, its hooves pounding _______  the forest floor.
Answer: a) amid, from
27.   Choose the series of prepositions that best completes the following sentence.
Jack, leaning casually ________ the tree, watched as Sally walked slowly ________ him.
Answer: c) upon, past
28. 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?
 Answer: a) Yes, I will have always gone every year.
29. Which of the following sentences illustrates the proper use of apostrophes?
Answer: a) Helga borrowed her friend’s skates for the day; however, she failed to return them.
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.
Answer: e) Whenever I can't spend time with my friend, I always speak to him on the phone.
31.  Choose the series of prepositions that best completes the following sentence.
Although Marvin said he had 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.
Answer: a) under, in, around
32.  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?
Answer: a) you, his, he
33.  Complete the following sentence by choosing the phrase with the best word order from the options given.
Those who are not wise ____________  .
Answer: d) do not need be necessarily stupid.
34.  Which of the following sentences does NOT illustrate correct verb and verb tense usage?
Answer: b) Clarabelle's mother absolutely hated nicknames and always calls her daughter by her full name
35. Complete the following sentences by choosing the phrase with the best word order from the option given.
 Only after they had completed an exhaustive study  ________ how to adapt the technology to the needs of our company.
Answer: c) they did begin to understand
36.  Which of the following sentences is NOT punctuated correctly?
Answer: b) “Seven canteens full of water should enough for the hike,” said Tabitha. 
37. Which of the following sentences illustrates the proper use of parallel construction?
Answer: c) Trina loved to sail, skate, swim, and surfing.
38. 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.
Answer: c) totally, irresponsible
39. Change the following sentence from a quotation to indirect speech.
Jerry said, "I saw my cousin at the fair."
Answer: b) Jerry said he had seen his cousin at the fair.
40.  Change the following sentence from a quotation to indirect speech.
"I can meet with you at noon," said Peter.
Answer: c) Peter said he could meet with me at noon
U.S. English Basic Skills Test answers 2

Questions and Answers:
1. Which of the following sentences does NOT illustrate correct verb and verb tense usage?
Answer: b) Clarabelle’s mother absolutely hated nicknames and always calls her daughter by her full name
2. Change the following sentence from a quotation to indirect speech. “Sharon must go to the bank today.” said Albert
Answer: d) Albert said Sharon had to go to the bank today.
3. Choose the series of prepositions that best completes the following sentence.
I placed my notes__________my desk and referred to them____________ the meeting.
Answer: b) beside, during
4. Change the following sentence from a quotation to indirect speech.
“It may snow tomorrow,” He said
Answer: d) He said it might snow tomorrow.
5. Read the following question and choose the response that uses the correct corresponding verb tense.
Does Jack wear that furry hat often?
Answer: d) No, he only wears it when his ears are cold.
6.  Answer: b) We painted the conference room yellow, hung a poster on the wall, and are rearranging the chairs.
7. 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?
Answer: c) what, which
8. Choose the series of verbs and phrases that best completes the following passage.
This dish ______ too spicy. Why _______ so much pepper?
Answer: e) a and c
9. Which of the following sentences illustrates correct verb and verb tense usage?
Answer: e) All of the above
10. Choose the series of verbs that best completes the following sentences.
Alison regrets _______ you with her remarks; she never meant ______ so.
Answer: b) to hurt, to do
11. Read the following question and choose the response that uses the correct corresponding verb tense.
Did you hear the weather report for tomorrow?
 Answer: b) No, I wasn’t listening to the radio.
12. 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.
Answer: c) across, down, past, between
13. 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.
Answer: b) a, but
14. 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 ________.
Answer: b) shortest, accordingly
15. 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 happening.
Answer: a) of, about
16. Which of the following sentences is punctuated correctly?
Answer: d) “Come here.” she said, “and let me get a good look at you.
17. 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
Answer: e) Whenever I can’t spend time with my friend. I always speak to him on the phone.
18. Which of the following sentences illustrates correct pronoun usage?
Answer: e) None of the above
19. 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.
Answer: c) totally, irresponsible
20. Choose the series of verbs that best completes  the following sentence.
I find it very hard to remember ______________ letters that are entrusted to me. In fact, I remember_____________to do so dozens of times!
Answer: d) mailing, forgetting
21. Change the following sentence from a quotation to indirect speech.
Jerry said, "I saw my cousin at the fair."
Answer: d) Jerry says he saw his cousin at the fair.
22. Rearrange the following words to create the most logical and grammatically correct sentence.
days . for last has good weather few The been the not
Answer: d) The weather has not been good for the last few days.
23. Change the following sentences from a question to indirect speech.
“I will be moving soon.” said Alma
Answer: d) Alma says she would move soon.
24. Choose the series of prepositions that best completes the following sentence.
After realizing that our hosts hadn’t actually invested _________ to ____________ party. ____________ excused ____________ from the table and slipped out the back door.
Answer: a) us, their, we, ourselves.
25. Choose the series of adjectives and adverbs that best completes the following sentence.
The helium _______ balloon rose ________ into the air; the villagers knew then their _______ leader was off on another mission.
Answer: c) powered, powerfully, powerful
26. 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
Answer: a) Unlike liquids, solid objects are easy to carry.
27.  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.
Answer: a) (no article required), an, the, but, the
28.  Change the following sentence from a quotation to indirect speech.
"I can meet with you at noon," said Peter.
Answer: c) Peter said he could meet with me at noon.
29. 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.
Answer: b) After, an, and
30. Change the following sentence from a quotation to indirect speech.
Carol has said, “I am responsible for this project.”
Answer: a) Carol has said that she is responsible for this project.
31. Read the following question and choose the response that uses the correct corresponding verb tense.
Did you see the show last night?
Answers: a) No, because by the time I got there all the tickets had already been sold.
32. 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?
Answer: a) Yes, I will have always gone every year.
33. Which of the following sentences illustrates correct usage of articles and conjunctions?
Answer: c) For my birthday, I would like a book, an hourglass, and the keys to a new boat.
34. Which of the following sentences illustrates proper sentence structure?
Answer: c) The man in the black cape mounted his powerful stallion and it galloped away.
35.  Whiskey, my pet squirrel, jumped ________ my head and ________ the windowsill.
Answer: a) over, onto
36. Rearrange the following words to create the most logical and grammatically correct sentence.
work . is always to brother willing not My
Answer: b) My brother is not always willing to work.
37.  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 _______________.
Answer: d) music, told the others about the ice cream truck outside.
38. Complete the following sentence by choosing the phrase with the best word order from the options given.
Those who are not wise ____________  .
Answer: a) do not need be necessarily stupid
39. Choose the series of articles and conjunctions that best completes  the following sentence.
Lilacs ______ violets are usually purple, ______ I have seen some ______ are white.
Answer: c) and, although, that.
40.  Choose the series of verbs that best completes  the following sentence.
Everyone ____________too busy cooking and __________ the campsite ____________ the family _________ from the woods.
Answer: d) was, setting up, to notice, watching
U.S. English Basic Skills Test answers 3

1. Choose the series of prepositions that best completes the following sentence.
The deer ran quickly _______  the trees, its hooves pounding _______  the forest floor.
Answer: a) amid, from
2. Which of the following sentences is punctuated correctly?
Answer: d) “Come here.” she said, “and let me get a good look at you.
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 their _______ leader was off on another mission.
Answer: c) powered, powerfully, powerful
4. 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
Answer: a) gets, will have to wait
5. Choose the series of verbs and phrases that best completes the following passage.
This dish _________ too spicy. Why __________ so much pepper?
Answer: e) a and c
6. Which of the following sentences does NOT illustrate proper use of articles and conjunctions?
Answer: b) Bertha decided to change a locks of her house after burglars stole a computer or an oil painting.
7. 9. Which of the following sentences illustrates correct verb and verb tense usage?
Answer: e) All of the above
8. Which of the following sentence illustrates correct pronoun usage?
Answer: e) all of the above
9. Choose the series of adjectives and adverbs that best completes the following sentence.
We were surprised when the ________ parade ________ turned into a ________ party!
Answers: a.) dull, suddenly, wild
10. Complete the following sentence by choosing the phrase with the best word order from the options given.
Those who are not wise ____________  .
Answer: d) do not need be necessarily stupid.
11. Choose the series of prepositions that best completes the following sentence.
Jack, leaning casually ________ the tree, watched as Sally walked slowly ________ him.
Answer: c) upon, past
12.  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.
Answer: a) nor, whether, that, the
13. Which of the following sentences does NOT illustrate correct verb and verb tense usage?
Answer: c) They was going to sell pastries as well, but then decided against it.
14. Choose the series of adjectives and adverbs that best completes the following sentence.
The _______ , _______ odor was ________ coming from the chemistry lab up the street
Answer: d) nasty, pungent clearly
15. 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 _______________.
Answer: d) music, told the others about the ice cream truck outside.
16. 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!
 Answer: b) you never know when
17. Which of the following sentences illustrates correct usage of articles and conjunctions?
Answers:  a.         Celine lives on Arthur Street; however, she works on Beatrice Boulevard.
18. Choose the series of prepositions that best completes the following sentence.
Although Marvin said he had 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.
Answer:  a. under, in. around
19. Which of the following sentences illustrates correct pronoun usage?
Answer: e (None of the above)
20. Change the following sentence from a quotation to indirect speech.
“It may snow tomorrow,” He said
Answer: d) He said it might snow tomorrow.
21. Which of the following sentences illustrates the proper use of parallel construction?
Answer: c) Trina loved to sail, skate, swim, and surfing.
22. Choose the series of verbs that best completes the following sentence.
 Everyone ________ too busy cooking and _______ the family of bears _______ from woods.
23. 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.
Answer: c) many, windiest, most, more, protected
24. 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.
Answer: c) totally, irresponsible
25. 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
Answer: a) Unlike liquids, solid objects are easy to carry.
26. Which of the following sentences illustrates the proper use of apostrophes?
Answer: a) Helga borrowed her friend’s skates for the day; however, she failed to return them.
27. 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.
Answer: a) (no article required), an, the, but, the
28. Choose the phrase that best completes the sentence below without creating a run-on sentence.
Mr. Peach has sent his four children to lvy league colleges _______ he has sacrificed his health working day and night dusty factory.
Answer: b) ; however
29. Which of the following sentences illustrates proper sentence structure?
Answer: b) Unless the world controls its population, mankind will continue to face one problem after another.
30. Which of the following sentences illustrates correct verb and verb tense usage?
Answer: b) Until the snow does not melt, the train will not be able to move.
31.  Which of the following sentences is NOT punctuated correctly?
Answer: a) We expect only three things from our dog: loyalty, affection, and tail wagging.
32. Rearrange the following words to create the most logical and grammatically correct sentence.
days . for last has good weather few The been the not
Answer: d) The weather has not been good for the last few days.
33. Change the following sentence from a quotation to indirect speech.
“I’m not feeling well,” Agatha said.
Answer: a. Agatha has said that she doesn’t feel well
34. Complete the following sentences by choosing the phrase with the best word order from the option given.
 Only after they had completed an exhaustive study  ________ how to adapt the technology to the needs of our company.
Answer: c) they did begin to understand
35. 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?
 Answer: a) Yes, I will have always gone every year.
36.  Rearrange the following words to create the most logical and grammatically correct sentence.
your company name ? of What the is
c) What is the name of your company?
37. .  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.
Answer: c) across, down, past, between
38. 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:
Answer: d) A lot of lumber is being carried by that tall man.
39. 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.
Answer: b) a, but
40. Choose the verb that best completes the following sentence.
Do you know if Harlon ____________Japanese before moving to Japan?
Answer: a) has studied