Basic Skills Test –

Practice Test

Wonderlic Basic Skills Test

Practice Test Series
Verbal Form VS-A

PRACTICE TEST © 2003-2011 Wonderlic, Inc.

 E.F. Wonderlic, 1952
“We must keep going
at this high level of
achievement, and try
to achieve even better
results as we gain
more years of maturity,
and new teaching and
learning methods are
discovered.”

– E.F. Wonderlic

Welcome to the Wonderlic Basic Skills Test Practice Test.

Since 1937, more than 200 million people throughout the world have been evaluated with Wonderlic assessments in
pursuit of new and exciting career training and employment opportunities.

The Wonderlic Basic Skills Test is a standardized test of adult math and language skills that is commonly administered
by schools and employers across the United States. This booklet contains questions which represent the content and
average difficulty f the Wonderlic Basic Skills Test – Verbal Skills. The questions and specific ontexts contained in this
booklet do not appear on any published form of the Wonderlic Basic Skills Test. Correct answers are provided inside the
back cover.

The U.S. Department of Education has determined that a student’s level of proficien y with the math and language skills
represented in the Wonderlic Basic Skills Test is fundamental to his or her success in career training. Furthermore, the
U.S. Department of Labor has deemed these skills to be critical for satisfactory job performance across a broad range of
occupations.

Wonderlic, Inc. wishes you great success in working toward new and higher levels of achievement!

© 2003-2011 Wonderlic, Inc. | www.wonderlic.com | 800.323.3742

Unauthorized duplication of this booklet in part, or in full, is a violation of federal law and strictly prohibited.
 Tu r n th e Pa g e
t o beg in r ev iew in g s a mpl e
q u es t io n s f o r t h e

Wonderlic Basic Skills Test–

Verbal Skills
Form VS-A

Correct answers are provided inside the

back cover of this booklet.

© 2003-2011 Wonderlic, Inc. | www.wonderlic.com | 800.323.3742

Unauthorized duplication of this booklet in part, or in full, is a violation of federal law and strictly prohibited.
 WBST Sample Questions —Form VS-A Page 1

For questions 1-
1-4, choose the verb that For questions 5-
5-7, choose the word or
correctly completes the sentence. phrase that best indicates the meaning
of the underlined word.

1. Have you ______ the painting yet? 5. Hysterical means:

A. hanged A. out of control
B. hang B. in trouble
C. hanging C. very loud
D. hung D. too difficult

2. Kay ______ typing at school. 6. To ignite is to:

A. study A. pay no attention
B. studies B. make fun of
C. studying C. set on fire
D. be studying D. run an engine

3. I ______ the laughter from the 7. An inaccuracy is a:

conference room.
A. mistake
A. hear B. type of medicine
B. hears C. prison
C. hearing D. chance happening
D. is hearing

4. This set of books ______ on that

shelf.
A. goes
B. go
C. going
D. gone

Go on to the next page #

 WBST Sample Questions —Form VS-A Page 2

Use the completed order form below to answer questions 8-

8-11.

=================================================================
Customer Order Form
=================================================================
Qty Item # Description Color / Size Item Cost Total
------- --------- ----------------- ---------------- --------------- ---------
2 541B Men’s Sweater Blue / X-Large $45 $90
5 271D Men’s Socks Black / 13 $5 $25
3 412R Women’s Slacks Gray, Olive or Tan $40 $120
1 768U Boy’s Shirt White / 13 $20 $20

8. The item number for men’s 10. The order form does not
socks is ______. show a size for ______.
A. 541B A. item 541B
B. 412R B. item 412R
C. 271D C. men’s socks
D. 768U D. boys’ shirt

9. The cost of one boy’s shirt 11. The color of the men’s sweater being
is ______. ordered is ______.
A. $45 A. white
B. $40 B. black
C. $120 C. gray
D. $20 D. blue

Go on to the next page #

 WBST Sample Questions —Form VS-A Page 3

For questions 12-

12-14, choose the For questions 15-
15-17, choose the word
sentence that is most correctly written. that best completes
completes the sentence.

12. A. The manager signed the register, 15. We waited downstairs for ten
before going to their rooms, the minutes. At last, the ______ arrived,
guests. and we rode it up to the tenth floor.
B. Before the register, the manager A. bus
asked the rooms to sign the guests. B. package
C. elevator
C. Sign the room to the manager,
D. neighbors
the guests before going to their
register.
16. Although we would like a bigger and
D. The manager asked the guests to better apartment someday, this one is
sign the register before going to _______, and we’re satisfied.
their rooms.
A. terrific
B. passable
13. A. The car soon after the robbery
C. dreadful
speeding down Lark Street was
D. gigantic
seen.
B. Down Lark Street the car was 17. We heard strange music coming
seen after the robbery speeding from the empty house. We also saw
soon. blue lights there. It was quite
_______.
C. The car was seen speeding down
Lark Street soon after the robbery. A. unwise
B. expensive
D. Speeding the car down Lark C. familiar
Street was seen soon after the D. mysterious
robbery.

14. A. We impose a $10 charge for any

check returned to us by the bank.
B. For any check, we impose the
bank by a $10 charge returned to
us.
C. For any bank, we impose by the
check a $10 charge returned us.
D. We impose to us a $10 charge for
any returned by the bank check.

Go on to the next page #

 WBST Sample Questions —Form VS-A Page 4

Refer to the Park Mall Directory below to answer

answer questions 18-
18-21.

Park Mall Directory

A Book Nook Main Drinking
% Fountain
B Ted’s Tool Shed
I ♦* HH G C
D
Meds ‘n Things
Flowers by Flora
« Public Phone
E First Central Bank ♦ Restrooms
J F F Hair Perfect
G Discount Shoe Outlet
E H Park Auto Parts, Inc.
K I Park Cinema
% D J Park Restaurant
K Kids Clothes
L C L Dental Offices, J.J. Green, DDS
B M Odd Lot Dollar Shop
M
« A

18. The stores in the directory are 20. Which two stores might you go to
listed by ______. first to buy a birthday card?
A. alphabetical order A. A and C
B. size B. H and K
C. location C. B and D
D. store type D. F and M

19. Where is the main drinking fountain 21. At this mall, you could probably not
located? buy ______.
A. inside the restroom A. a hamburger
B. outside the children’s clothing B. shampoo
store C. a man’s suit
C. next to the movie theater D. a bouquet of roses
D. above the public phone

Go on to the next page #

 WBST Sample Questions —Form VS-A Page 5

For questions
questions 22-
22-24, choose the For questions 25-
25-27, choose the word
sentence in which the underlined word that best indicates the meaning of the
has the same meaning as it does in the underlined word.
sentence within the brackets.

22.
{ Spencer looks fit now that he
jogs every day. } 25. Wind, water and animals all aid in the
dispersion of seeds, sometimes
carrying them great distances.
A. To stay fit, you must eat right.
A. destruction
B. That piano will never fit in here. B. development
C. scattering
C. Does that shirt still fit you?
D. recovering
D. In a fit of anger, I broke the plate.
26. Fresh air and good food had a
salutary effect on the sick boy, and
23.
{ To make twice the number of
cookies, double all ingredients. } he was soon able to get out of bed.

A. Tom’s double to right field won A. uncertain

the game. B. healthful
C. dangerous
B. The actor’s double does the D. unexpected
dangerous scene.
C. He said, “Please double the paper 27. The newspaper story about graft at
along the dotted line.” city hall soon forced the mayor to
quit.
D. You can double your paycheck by
working over the weekend. A. politics
B. awards
C. bribery
24.
{ The dancers lined up in the
form of a circle. } D. speeches

A. We filled out an order form at the

store.
B. The athletes will form a new team.
C. The basketball player shot with
great form.
D. Her valentine card was drawn in
the form of a heart.

Go on to the next page #

 WBST Sample Questions —Form VS-A Page 6

Read the steps below for painting a room and then answer questions 28-
28-30.

Steps to Paint a Room

1. Ceiling: Paint across the narrow dimension of a room in strips 2-3 feet
wide. If you use a roller, attach a long-handled extension so that you can
paint while standing on the floor. Paint the ceiling first in order to avoid
drips on surfaces that you have just painted.
2. Walls (with brush): Paint a strip 3 feet wide from ceiling down to floor.
Repeat across wall and around room. Painting a succeeding strip before
the first one has dried will eliminate unsightly lap marks.
3. Walls (with roller): Paint all wall and ceiling corners and around
windows and doors with a brush first. For best coverage, roll up and down
in a zigzag pattern, then blend across with horizontal strokes. Start in a dry
area and roll toward one that was just painted to avoid lap marks.
4. Woodwork and Windows: Using slow brush strokes, brush the enamel
first in one direction, then level it by brushing across. (If you paint
woodwork too quickly, the brush may skip across tiny depressions.)
5. Floors: For best results, the floor should be clean, dry, sanded, and
vacuumed. Two coats of paint are recommended.

28. When using a roller to paint walls, 30. When painting with a roller, work
you should: from a dry area to a wet area
because:
A. Paint around windows and
doors last. A. It uses less paint.
B. Paint in strips 3 feet wide. B. It cuts down on unnecessary
C. Roll up and down in a zigzag movement.
pattern. C. It helps to avoid lap marks.
D. Use two coats of paint. D. It makes the roller last longer.

29. The directions suggest painting the

ceiling first because:
A. Drips will matter less.
B. The lap marks are more obvious.
C. It is most difficult.
D. A roller or a brush can be used.

Go on to the next page #

 WBST Sample Questions —Form VS-A Page 7

For questions 31-

31-33, if there is an error in one of the underlined
underlined sections below,
choose the letter below the line as your answer. If there is no error, choose D.

31. The San Andreas Fault, which stretches 750 miles along the Californian coast,
A.
has caused many earthquakes, land west of the fault slips northward about 2
B. C.
inches each year. No error.
D.

32. How pleased I was to learn that your father has been choosen as the new police chief!
A. B. C.
No error.
D.

33. My family goes to the movies on Sundays, and sometimes we go out to eat
A. B. C.
afterwards. No error.
D.

For questions 34-

34-36, choose the group of words that forms a complete sentence.

34. A. The drug store closes at 9:00 p.m.

B. The last cattle in the valley?
C. Racing wildly toward the school bus on Route 9!
D. To finish the garage by October.

35. A. Another dinner of reheated leftovers!

B. Away we go.
C. A smaller puppy under the kitchen radiator.
D. To clean up the broken glass in aisle 3.

36. A. They’re here—the red, the blue, and the green.

B. Tall, thin models at the fashion show.
C. By the end of the summer, certainly?
D. Trying and trying to start the old lawn mower.

Go on to the next page #

 WBST Sample Questions —Form VS-A Page 8

Refer to the article below to answer questions 37-

37-42.

Line
1. Did you know that everyone sheds 50 million skin cells each day.
2. People’s noses can’t smell this chemical trail but it is immediately
3. obvious to a bloodhound. The bloodhound’s ears cup the scent as
4. it’s nose passes over the ground. The part of the dog’s nose that
5. receives odors is forty times larger than the same part of a human
6. nose. In addition, the bloodhound have been bred especially to
7. smell people. Overall bloodhounds are a million times more
8. sensitive to the human scent than people are.

37. What change, if any, is needed in 40. What change, if any, is needed in
line 1? line 5?
A. Change sheds to shed. A. Change receives to recieves.
B. Change million to milion. B. Add a comma after odors.
C. Change the period to a question C. Change larger to more large.
mark. D. Make no change.
D. Make no change.
41. What change, if any, is needed in
38. What change, if any, is needed in line 6?
line 2?
A. Remove the comma after
A. Change People’s to Peoples. addition.
B. Add a comma after trail. B. Change have to has.
C. Change immediately to C. Change the period to a comma.
imediately. D. Make no change.
D. Make no change.
42. What change, if any, is needed in
39. What change, if any, is needed in lines 7 and 8?
lines 3 and 4?
A. Add a comma after Overall.
A. Add a comma after scent. B. Change scent to sent.
B. Change it’s to its. C. Change than to then.
C. Change passes to pass. D. Make no change.
D. Make no change.

Go on to the next page #

 WBST Sample Questions —Form VS-A Page 9

For questions 43-

43-45, choose the sentence that best joins the sequence of events
stated in brackets without omitting any details or changing the meaning.

{
43. Rita lost her job last May.
She was on unemployment for three months.
Her new job begins in November.
}
A. Rita lost her job last May and was on unemployment; her new job begins in three
months in November.
B. After losing her job last May, Rita was on unemployment for three months until her
new job began in November.
C. When Rita’s new job begins in November, she will have been on unemployment for
three months; she lost her job in May.
D. Last May, Rita lost her job and was on unemployment for three months; her new job
begins in November.

{ }
44. I removed the old wallpaper.
I washed the plaster walls.
I patched the cracks.

A. I removed and washed the old wallpaper and plaster walls; then I patched the cracks.
B. I removed the old wallpaper, and I washed and patched the cracks in the plaster walls.
C. I removed the old wallpaper, washed the plaster walls, and patched the cracks.
D. I removed the cracks, washed the plaster walls, and patched the old wallpaper.

{ }
45. Chris put water in a glass jar.
He put the jar in the freezer.
The water froze solid and the jar cracked.

A. A glass jar with water in it cracked after Chris put it in the freezer and it froze solid.
B. Chris put water in a glass jar and put the jar in the freezer; the water froze solid and
cracked the jar.
C. A glass jar cracked because Chris put it in water in the freezer and the water froze solid.
D. Chris put water in a glass jar, put it in the freezer, and it cracked.

Go on to the next page #

 WBST Sample Questions —Form VS-A Page 10

Read the news story below then answer questions 46-

46-50.

The Midwest Solar Energy Society will sponsor a day-long solar home tour on
Saturday, April 5th, beginning at 8 a.m. Featured on the outing is Hickory Hill, a
25-unit development with 10 apartments built in Middleton by Kenwood Homes.
Twelve solar energy collectors per unit provide most of the hot water and space
heating to the apartments. Kenwood has long been a leader in creative housing.
Also on the tour is the Harvey House in Makepeace. Ninety percent energy
efficient fans move air from the south glass area to a 200-ton underground heat
storage battery.
The group will also stop at the Batteau House in Sheldon Park and the Dows
Lake Middle School. Dr. Tony Batteau has won three design awards for his
original solar energy ceiling windows. The Dows Lake School now heats all its hot
water with sunlight.
Reservations can be made by calling 555-9809.

46. Where is the Batteau House located? 49. Which of the following is the best title
for this article?
A. Middleton
B. Dows Lake A. Dr. Batteau Wins Solar Design
C. Sheldon Park Awards
D. Makepeace B. Day-Long Tour to Begin at 8:00 a.m.
C. Tour to Feature Area Solar Homes
47. What does Harvey House feature? D. Middleton Gets 100 Solar-
Powered Apartments
A. a solar system to heat hot water
B. an underground heat storage
50. Which of the following statements
battery
from the article is an opinion?
C. 12 solar energy collectors per unit
D. original solar ceiling windows A. Twelve solar energy collectors per
unit provide most of the hot water
48. The main purpose for the tour is and space heating.
probably to _______. B. Reservations can be made by
calling 555-9809.
A. popularize solar energy C. The group will also stop at the
B. help owners of solar homes sell Batteau House in Sheldon Park and
their property the Dows Lake Middle School.
C. have an outing on a sunny day D. Kenwood has long been a leader
D. raise money to build a solar home in creative housing.

END OF PRACTICE TEST

 “We must keep going
at this high level of
achievement, and try
to achieve even better
results as we gain
more years of maturity,
and new teaching and
learning methods are
discovered.”

– E.F. Wonderlic

© 2003-2011 Wonderlic, Inc. | www.wonderlic.com | 800.323.3742

Unauthorized duplication of this booklet in part, or in full, is a violation of federal law and strictly prohibited.
Question # Wonderlic Basic Skills Test Sample Questions Profile Verbal Skills Form VS-A Question #
Language Level* Primary Skills Set Required Full Correct Answer Correct Answer
1 1 Complete a sentence with an appropriate word in context hung D 1
2 1 Complete a sentence with an appropriate word in context studies B 2
3 1 Complete a sentence with an appropriate word in context hear A 3
4 1 Complete a sentence with an appropriate word in context goes A 4
5 2 Recognize word meanings out of control A 5
6 2 Recognize word meanings set on fi e C 6
7 2 Recognize word meanings mistake A 7
8 1 Locate specific in ormation in various formats 271D C 8
9 1 Locate specific in ormation in various formats $20 D 9
10 1 Locate specific in ormation in various formats item 412R B 10
11 1 Locate specific in ormation in various formats blue D 11
12 1 Recognize standard sentence structure. The manager asked the guests to sign the register before going to their rooms. D 12
13 1 Recognize standard sentence structure. The car was seen speeding down Lark Street soon after the robbery. C 13
14 1 Recognize standard sentence structure. We impose a $10 charge for any check returned to us by the bank. A 14
15 2 Complete a sentence with an appropriate word in context. elevator C 15
16 2 Complete a sentence with an appropriate word in context. passable B 16
17 2 Complete a sentence with an appropriate word in context. mysterious D 17
18 2 Locate specific in ormation in various formats location C 18
19 2 Locate specific in ormation in various formats outside the children’s clothing store B 19
20 2 Locate specific in ormation in various formats A and C A 20
21 2 Locate specific in ormation in various formats a man’s suit C 21
22 2 Recognize multiple meanings of words used in context To stay fi , you must eat right. A 22
23 2 Recognize multiple meanings of words used in context You can double your paycheck by working over the weekend. D 23
24 2 Recognize multiple meanings of words used in context Her valentine card was drawn in the form of a heart. D 24
25 3 Recognize word meanings scattering C 25
26 3 Recognize word meanings healthful B 26
27 3 Recognize word meanings bribery C 27
28 3 Understand and use “how-to” instructions Roll up and down in a zigzag pattern. C 28
29 3 Understand and use “how-to” instructions Drips will matter less. A 29
30 3 Understand and use “how-to” instructions It helps to avoid lap marks. C 30
31 2 Recognize common errors in standard sentence mechanics earthquakes, land (earthquakes. Land) C 31
32 2 Recognize common errors in standard sentence mechanics your father has been choosen (chosen) B 32
33 2 Recognize common errors in standard sentence mechanics No Error. D 33
34 1 Identify a complete sentence. The drug store closes at 9:00 p.m. A 34
35 1 Identify a complete sentence. Away we go. B 35
36 1 Identify a complete sentence. They’re here—the red, the blue, and the green. A 36
37 2 Recognize common errors in standard sentence mechanics Change the period to question mark. C 37
38 2 Recognize common errors in standard sentence mechanics Add a comma after trail. B 38
39 2 Recognize common errors in standard sentence mechanics Change it’s to its. B 39
40 2 Recognize common errors in standard sentence mechanics Make no change. D 40
41 2 Recognize common errors in standard sentence mechanics Change have to has. B 41
42 1 Recognize common errors in standard sentence mechanics Add a comma after Overall. A 42
43 3 Compound and complex sentence construction Last May, Rita lost her job and was on unemployment for three months; her new D 43
job begins in November.
44 3 Compound and complex sentence construction I removed the old wallpaper, washed the plaster walls, and patched the cracks. C 44
45 3 Compound and complex sentence construction Chris put water in a glass jar and put the jar in the freezer; the water froze solid B 45
and cracked the jar.
46 2 Locate specific in ormation in various formats Sheldon Park C 46
47 3 Use literature and other written information an underground heat storage battery B 47
48 3 Use literature and other written information popularize solar energy A 48
49 3 Use literature and other written information Tour to Feature Area Solar Homes C 49
50 3 Use literature and other written information Kenwood has long been a leader in creative housing. D 50
* Language levels established in accordance with job-related General Education Development (GED) skills content published by the U.S. Department of Labor in the Dictionary of Occupational Titles (DOT).

© 2003-2011 Wonderlic, Inc. | www.wonderlic.com | 800.323.3742

Unauthorized duplication of this booklet in part, or in full, is a violation of federal law and strictly prohibited.
PRT 11/11 120527