ASSESSMENT

FOUNDATION ENGLISH COURSE

TEST DURATION: 60 MINUTES

TOTAL MARKS: 50

SECTION 1 – GRAMMAR AND LANGUAGE USAGE

Directions:
Some of the following sentences contain an error in grammar, usage, punctuation, or word
choice. Some sentences are correct. No sentence contains more than one error. The error, if there
is one, is underlined and lettered. It is permissible to change, add, or delete words or punctuation
when correcting the error. Assume that all other elements of the sentence are correct and cannot
be changed. In choosing answers, follow the requirements of standard written English.
If there is an error, select the one underlined part ( A, B, C or D) that has an error and must be
changed in order to make the sentence correct. If there is no error, choose the answer
as E.

Click on the following link to give your answers:

https://forms.gle/zVXRcZPWrEX9nLFF8
Choose the correct letter to mark your answer for each question:

1. It was not until I bought a car and graduating from high school that I dared even to think
A B C
about going out with somebody. No error.
D E

2. When I was in Tiananmen Square, I recall, the pressure was tremendous. Because every
A B C
minute there was danger. No error.
D E

3. Franklin the brave warrior that he is, would never run from a fight or shrink from
aA B C D
challenge. No error.
E

4. The great tenor’s high notes, his amazingly sustained breathing, his exquisitely
nuanced A B C
phrasing--all these contribute to the most awesome sound in the world. No error.
D E

5. Employees are to report to work as usual, however, they will be excused between 12:00 and
A B
1:00 p.m. to attend events or observances of their choosing. No error.
C D E
6. Every Friday, each of the girls takes her father to see the newest action
movie. No error. A B C
D E

7. There are many reasons for poverty, the first being that the wages paid the average
worker are A B C
not keeping up with the inflation that affects our economy. No error.
D E

8. The fledgling artist, darling of the critics, fell from favor when he submitted a
blank canvas A B
to the competition, claiming that the “painting” was his masterpiece. No error.
C D E

9. Successful entrepreneurs are always on the lookout for ideas, that will
help them increase A B C
profits and stay competitive. No error.
D E

10. When I was traveling out West last summer; my friends and I stopped at
all the historical A B C
markers; we learned a lot about American history. No error.
D E

11. Officially, the ambassador, but not her family, have to reside in the capital city, but if the
A B C
truth be known, she lives elsewhere. No error.
D E

12. For many years now, we volunteered at an animal shelter, ever since we
received our first A B C
puppy back in 1986. No error.
D E

13. Professor Ernst, a noted biologist, was intrigued by the mysterious fish
kill in Summit Lake A B
and undertook to study the reasons for why it occurred. No error.
C D E

14. Margaret, fresh from her visit to Australia, made us vegemite sandwiches;
they tasted bad. A B C D
No error.
E

15. In falling a tree makes a whispering sound: a human being makes a dull, unpoetic
thud. A B C D
No error.
E

16. Carmela had a particularly busy day: she polished her light blue convertible and took her
A B
 pet spaniel Corky to the groomer’s, then she went to a movie. No error.
C D E

17. The student sitting by the windows was not prepared for the exam, and neither were his
A B C
classmates. No error.
D E

18. Just between us two, when I found out who really had shot Grandma, you
could of knocked A B C
me over with a feather. No error.
D E

19. Many a Packer fan, caught between memories of a glorious past and hopes for a bright
new A B C
day, can hardly bear to watch the struggles of today. No error.
D E

20. Each of the horses has their own food formula, which is carefully worked out by a
dietician. A B C D
No error.
E

21. Family income, ethnicity, even geography, affect one’s educational opportunity; however,
A B C
income is clearly more influential. No error.
D E

22. The prank that Toby and him play on David is not intended to be just a little joke;
A B C
instead, they want to make him feel ashamed. No error.
D E

23. Whistling out of the frigid North comes the bone-chilling winds of January.
No error. A B C D E

24. Although they seem hearty pigs easily catch diseases, many of them
serious; therefore, many A B CD
pigs die young. No error.
E

25. We had run three miles at a rapid pace, our hearts felt as if they were going to burst
from our A B C D
chests. No error.
E
 SECTION II - SENTENCE CORRECTION
Directions:
Choose the answer that produces the most effective sentence – clear and exact, without
wordiness or ambiguity. Do not make a choice that changes the meaning of the original
sentence.
In each of the sentences of this section, one portion is underlined. For each sentence you will
find five ways of writing the underlined part; the first of these always repeats the original, and
the other four are all different. If you think the original sentence is better than any of the
suggested changes, choose the first answer (A); otherwise, select the best revision.

26.Just as I was despairing, a nun passes by and whispers encouragement.

A. passes by and whispers
B. is passing by and whispered
C. is passing by and whispers
D. passed by and whispers
E. passed by and whispered

27. Not being aware of the legal implications of his action, an arrest was made by the
security guard.
A. an arrest was made by the security guard.
B. the security guard called the police to arrest the offender.
C. the offender was arrested by the security guard.
D. the security guard made an arrest.
E. an arrest was made by the police.

28. Some couples are forbidden to divorce by religion, others are forbidden by social custom.
A. others are forbidden by social custom.
B. social custom forbids other couples.
C. other couples are forbidden by social custom.
D. others by social custom.
E. social custom forbids others.

29. Amy couldn’t decide whether to stay at home in Texas during her vacation or if she should
go to visit her relatives in New York.
A. vacation or if she should go to visit
B. vacation; or to visit
C. vacation or to visit
D. vacation, or if she should go to visit
E. vacation. Or if she should go to visit
30. When one becomes a secret agent, you don’t write home very often.
A. you don’t write home very often.
B. a person doesn’t write home very often.
C. she doesn’t write home very often.
D. one doesn’t write home very often.
E. people don’t write home very often.

31. Every one of the communities under discussion have adequate school facilities.
A. Every one of the communities under discussion have
B. Every one of the community’s under discussion have
C. Everyone of the communities under discussion have
D. Every one of the communities’ under discussion has
E. Every one of the communities under discussion has

32. The package, rectangular in shape, lay on the counter.

A. The package, rectangular in shape,
B. The rectangular package
C. The package, shaped like a rectangle,
D. The packaged rectangle
E. The rectangularly-shaped package

33. After driving for most of the day, they decided to stop at twilight. Even though they
were very close to their final destination.
A. . Even though they
B. . Even though, they
C. ; even though they
D. , even though they
E. . They

34. Although many people who listen to rock music do not know where it comes from it
is actually a musical descendent of the blues
A. from it is
B. from, it is
C. from it is,
D. from; it is
E. from: it is

35. Actors who look badly on stage probably perform badly in movies.
A. badly on stage probably perform badly in movies.
B. badly on stage probably perform bad in movies.
C. bad on stage probably probably perform as bad in movies.
D. bad on stage probably perform badly in movies.
E. bad on stage probably perform bad in movies.
36. Gladys wanted to go to the museum to see the relics displayed there with her sister Evelyn.
A. to see the relics displayed there with her sister Evelyn.
B. with her sister Evelyn to see the relics displayed there.
C. to see, along with her sister Evelyn, the relics displayed there.
D. to see her sister Evelyn, whose relics were displayed there.
E. with the relics display to see her sister Evelyn.

37. When he walked into the classroom, the students were sitting at their desks, staring at
the chalkboard.
A. When he walked
B. Walking
C. While walking
D. He walked
E. His having walked

38. Less than a minute after he had finished steam cleaning the carpet, Steve’s dog tracked
mud all through the house.
A. he had finished steam cleaning the carpet, Steve’s dog
B. he steam cleaned the carpet, Steve’s dog had
C. he finished steam cleaning the carpet; Steve’s dog
D. Steve had finished steam cleaning the carpet, his dog
E. Steve steam cleaned the carpet, his dog had

39. We took the day off; because, it was so nice.

A. ; because,
B. , because
C. because
D. , because,
E. ;

40. The driver asked would we move to the back of the bus to make room for people getting on.
A. asked would we
B. asked would we please,
C. asked if we would
D. asked us, if we would
E. asked, would we

41. As my pace quickens, so does my breathing.

 A. As my pace quickens, so does my breathing.
B. My breathing quickens like my pace.
C. My pace and my breathing quicken.
D. The pace quickening, my breathing quickens, too.
E. As my pace quickens, my breathing quickens along with it.

42. Walking in the woods, spring wild flowers were seen.

A. , spring wild flowers were seen.
B. , we saw spring wild flowers.
C. spring wild flowers were seen.
D. , spring wild flowers could be seen blooming.
E. wild flowers were springing to life.

43. The basement smelled musty and sometimes almost a rotten smell.
A. The basement smelled musty and sometimes almost a rotten smell.
B. The basement smelled mustily and sometimes almost rottenly.
C. The basement smelled musty and sometimes almost rotten.
D. The basement sometimes smelled musty and rotten.
E. The basement smelled musty, and, sometimes, almost a rotten smell.

44. A tornado is a violent wind. One that takes the form of a funnel cloud.
A. wind. One
B. wind, one
C. wind; one
D. wind, it is one
E. wind,

45. If you don’t claim your prize, it will revert back to the pot for next week’s subsequent
drawing.
A. revert back to the pot for next week’s subsequent drawing.
B. revert back to the pot for next week’s drawing.
C. revert to the pot for next week’s subsequent drawing.
D. revert to the pot for next week’s drawing.
E. revert to next week’s drawing.

46. The reason he failed the quiz is that the assigned chapter wasn’t read.
A. that the assigned chapter wasn’t read.
B. that the assigned chapter was not read.
C. because the assigned chapter was not read.
D. that he didn’t read the assigned chapter.
E. because he didn’t read the assigned chapter.
47. When my friends went to the employment office, they had closed early.
A. office, they had closed early.
B. office, they had closed, early.
C. office; it had closed early.
D. office, he/she had closed early.
E. office, it had closed early.

48. Connie was about 5'4" tall, weight unknown, but she was slender.
A. weight unknown, but she was slender.
B. her weight unknown, but slender.
C. and, weight unknown, but slender.
D. and, although her weight was unknown, she was slender.
E. and of unknown but slender weight.

49. The sun rising over the horizon and spread a warm glow over the meadow.
A. rising over the horizon and spread
B. rising over the horizon, and spread
C. rose over the horizon and spread
D. rising over the horizon, spread
E. rising over the horizon and spreading

50. Stretched out in single file, the explorers climbed along a narrow path that seems very
little used.
A. along a narrow path that seems
B. along a narrow path that seemed
C. along a narrow path. That seemed
D. their way along a narrow path,
E. along, seemingly, on a narrow path