Grammar Level Test

Grammar Level Test

​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 that must be changed in order to make the sentence correct. If there is no error, choose the final answer, E.

​SECTION I - USAGE

Multiple Choice

It was not until I bought a car and graduating from high school that I dared even to think about going out with somebody.

• graduating

• that

• even to

• going out

• No errror

Multiple Choice

When I was in Tiananmen Square, I recall, the pressure was tremendous. Because every minute there was danger.

• Square

• recall

• Because

• there

• No error

Multiple Choice

The great tenor’s high notes, his amazingly sustained breathing, his exquisitely nuanced phrasing--all these contribute to the most awesome sound in the world.

• great

• amazingly

• exquisitely

• most awesome

• No Error

Multiple Choice

Franklin the brave warrior that he is, would never is from a fight or shrink from a challenge.

• Franklin

• is

• is

• fight

• No error

Multiple Choice

Employees are to report to work as usual, however, they will be excused between 12:00 and 1:00 p.m. to attend events  or observances of their choosing.

• usual, however,

• will be excused

• events

• their

• No error

Multiple Choice

Every Friday, each of the girls takes her father to see the newest action movie.

• each

• girls

• takes

• to

• No errror

Multiple Choice

There are many reasons for poverty, the first being that the wages paid the average worker are  not keeping up with the inflation that affects our economy

• are

• being

• are

• are

• No error

Multiple Choice

The fledgling artist, darling of the critics, fell from favor when he submitted a blank canvas to the competition, claiming that the “painting” was his masterpiece.

• fledgling

• fell from favo

• claiming

• painting

• No error

Multiple Choice

Successful entrepreneurs are always on the lookout for ideas, that will help them increase  profits and stay competitive.

• entrepreneurs

• on the lookout for

• that

• and stay

• No error

Multiple Choice

When I was traveling   out West last summer; my friends and I stopped at all the historical markers; we learned a lot about American history.

• traveling   

• summer;

• I

• markers;

• No error

Multiple Choice

Officially, the ambassador, but not her family, have to reside in the capital city, but if the truth be known, she lives elsewhere.

• ambassador

• have

• capital

• but

• No error

Multiple Choice

For many years now, we volunteered at an animal shelter, ever since we received our first puppy back in 1986.

• now,

• volunteered

• volunteered

• puppy

• No error

Multiple Choice

Professor Ernst, a noted biologist, was intrigued by the mysterious fish kill in Summit Lake and undertook to study the reasons for why it occurred

• noted

• intrigued by

• undertook

• for why

• No error

Multiple Choice

Margaret, fresh from her visit to Australia, made us vegemite sandwiches; they tasted bad.

• fresh

• Australia

• they

• bad.

• No error

Multiple Choice

In falling    a tree makes a whispering sound: a human being makes a dull, unpoetic thud.

• falling

• tree

• sound:

• makes

• No error

Directions: This is a test of correctness and effectiveness of expression. In choosing answers, follow requirements of standard written English; that is, pay attention to acceptable usage in grammar, word choice, sentence construction, and punctuation. 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.

​SECTION II - SENTENCE CORRECTION

Multiple Choice

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.

• vacation or if she should go to visi

• vacation; or to visit

• vacation or to visit

• vacation, or if she should go to visit

• vacation. Or if she should go to visit

Multiple Choice

Not being aware of the legal implications of his action, an arrest was made by the security guard.

• an arrest was made by the security guard.

• the security guard called the police to arrest the offender.

• the offender was arrested by the security guard.

• the security guard made an arrest

• an arrest was made by the police.

Multiple Choice

Some couples are forbidden to divorce by religion, others are forbidden by social custom.

• others are forbidden by social custom.

• social custom forbids other couples

• other couples are forbidden by social custom.

• others by social custom

• social custom forbids others.

Multiple Choice

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

• passes by and whispers

• is passing by and whispered

• is passing by and whispers

• passed by and whispers

• passed by and whispered

Multiple Choice

When one becomes a secret agent, you don’t write home very often.

• you don’t write home very often.

• a person doesn’t write home very often.

• she doesn’t write home very often.

• one doesn’t write home very often.

• people don’t write home very often.

Multiple Choice

Every one of the communities under discussion have adequate school facilities.

• Every one of the communities under discussion have

• Every one of the community’s under discussion have

• Everyone of the communities under discussion have

• Every one of the communities’ under discussion ha

• Every one of the communities under discussion has

Multiple Choice

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

• The package, rectangular in shape,

• The rectangular package

• The package, shaped like a rectangle,

• The packaged rectangle

• The rectangularly-shaped package

Multiple Choice

After driving for most of the day, they decided to stop at twilight. Even though they were very close to their final destination.

• . Even though they

• . Even though, they

• ; even though the

• , even though they

• . They

Multiple Choice

Although many people who listen to rock music do not know where it comes from it is actually a musical descendent of the blues

• from it is

• from, it is

• from it is,

• from; it is

• from: it is

Multiple Choice

Actors who look badly on stage probably perform badly in movies.

• badly on stage probably perform badly in movies.

• badly on stage probably perform bad in movies.

• bad on stage probably probably perform as bad in movies.

• bad on stage probably perform badly in movies.

• bad on stage probably perform bad in movies.

​Advanced Level Grammar

Multiple Choice

Towards the end of the 5th century, many political and social changes --------- in Europe which --------- all countries profoundly.

• had been occurring / had affected

• were occurring / have affected

• have occurred / will affect

• had occurred / would affect

• occurred / affected

Multiple Choice

Before I read Freud, I --------- dreams were of so much significance.

• haven't thought

• wouldn't think

• didn't think

• don't think

• wouldn't have thought

Multiple Choice

--------- the critics, the film is almost as good as the novel itself.

• With regard to

• According to

• Owing to

• In comparison to

• Concerning

Multiple Choice

It is thought to be basically a Hittite settlement --------- there are some traces of earlier civilisations.

• in spite of

• even so

• instead

• even though

• in case

Multiple Choice

The next meeting will be held --------- February, probably --------- the second Tuesday of the month.

• in / on

• in / at

• at/in

• on / at

• at/on

Multiple Choice

The oldest leather shoe in the world Archaeologists report that a perfectly preserved 5,500-year-old shoe has been discovered in a cave in Armenia in south-west Asia. It is (1) …..... to be the oldest leather shoe ever found. The shoe was made of a single piece of leather, stitched at the front and back, and was shaped to fit the wearer’s foot. It had been (2) …..... with grasses, either for warmth or to make sure it kept its shape. ‘The shoe is relatively small but we can’t say for (3) ...….. whether it was worn by a man or a woman,’ says Dr Ron Pinhasi, an archaeologist on the research (4) ...…... ‘We thought at first that it was about 600-700 years old because it was in such good shape.’ Shoes of this type from later periods have turned (5) ...….. in archaeological excavations in various places in Europe, and shoes of a very similar design were still being used on the Aran Islands off the west coast of Ireland as (6) …..... as the 1950s. It’s (7) …..... a style which (8) …..... popular for thousands of years.

•  accepted

• regarded

• assessed

• believed

Multiple Choice

The oldest leather shoe in the world Archaeologists report that a perfectly preserved 5,500-year-old shoe has been discovered in a cave in Armenia in south-west Asia. It is (1) …..... to be the oldest leather shoe ever found. The shoe was made of a single piece of leather, stitched at the front and back, and was shaped to fit the wearer’s foot. It had been (2) …..... with grasses, either for warmth or to make sure it kept its shape. ‘The shoe is relatively small but we can’t say for (3) ...….. whether it was worn by a man or a woman,’ says Dr Ron Pinhasi, an archaeologist on the research (4) ...…... ‘We thought at first that it was about 600-700 years old because it was in such good shape.’ Shoes of this type from later periods have turned (5) ...….. in archaeological excavations in various places in Europe, and shoes of a very similar design were still being used on the Aran Islands off the west coast of Ireland as (6) …..... as the 1950s. It’s (7) …..... a style which (8) …..... popular for thousands of years.

• stuffed

• loaded

• pushed

• blocked

Multiple Choice

The oldest leather shoe in the world Archaeologists report that a perfectly preserved 5,500-year-old shoe has been discovered in a cave in Armenia in south-west Asia. It is (1) …..... to be the oldest leather shoe ever found. The shoe was made of a single piece of leather, stitched at the front and back, and was shaped to fit the wearer’s foot. It had been (2) …..... with grasses, either for warmth or to make sure it kept its shape. ‘The shoe is relatively small but we can’t say for (3) ...….. whether it was worn by a man or a woman,’ says Dr Ron Pinhasi, an archaeologist on the research (4) ...…... ‘We thought at first that it was about 600-700 years old because it was in such good shape.’ Shoes of this type from later periods have turned (5) ...….. in archaeological excavations in various places in Europe, and shoes of a very similar design were still being used on the Aran Islands off the west coast of Ireland as (6) …..... as the 1950s. It’s (7) …..... a style which (8) …..... popular for thousands of years.

• clear

• specific

• true

• certain

Multiple Choice

The oldest leather shoe in the world Archaeologists report that a perfectly preserved 5,500-year-old shoe has been discovered in a cave in Armenia in south-west Asia. It is (1) …..... to be the oldest leather shoe ever found. The shoe was made of a single piece of leather, stitched at the front and back, and was shaped to fit the wearer’s foot. It had been (2) …..... with grasses, either for warmth or to make sure it kept its shape. ‘The shoe is relatively small but we can’t say for (3) ...….. whether it was worn by a man or a woman,’ says Dr Ron Pinhasi, an archaeologist on the research (4) ...…... ‘We thought at first that it was about 600-700 years old because it was in such good shape.’ Shoes of this type from later periods have turned (5) ...….. in archaeological excavations in various places in Europe, and shoes of a very similar design were still being used on the Aran Islands off the west coast of Ireland as (6) …..... as the 1950s. It’s (7) …..... a style which (8) …..... popular for thousands of years.

• class

• force

• team

• companany

Multiple Choice

The oldest leather shoe in the world Archaeologists report that a perfectly preserved 5,500-year-old shoe has been discovered in a cave in Armenia in south-west Asia. It is (1) …..... to be the oldest leather shoe ever found. The shoe was made of a single piece of leather, stitched at the front and back, and was shaped to fit the wearer’s foot. It had been (2) …..... with grasses, either for warmth or to make sure it kept its shape. ‘The shoe is relatively small but we can’t say for (3) ...….. whether it was worn by a man or a woman,’ says Dr Ron Pinhasi, an archaeologist on the research (4) ...…... ‘We thought at first that it was about 600-700 years old because it was in such good shape.’ Shoes of this type from later periods have turned (5) ...….. in archaeological excavations in various places in Europe, and shoes of a very similar design were still being used on the Aran Islands off the west coast of Ireland as (6) …..... as the 1950s. It’s (7) …..... a style which (8) …..... popular for thousands of years.

• over

• into

• up

• about

Multiple Choice

The oldest leather shoe in the world Archaeologists report that a perfectly preserved 5,500-year-old shoe has been discovered in a cave in Armenia in south-west Asia. It is (1) …..... to be the oldest leather shoe ever found. The shoe was made of a single piece of leather, stitched at the front and back, and was shaped to fit the wearer’s foot. It had been (2) …..... with grasses, either for warmth or to make sure it kept its shape. ‘The shoe is relatively small but we can’t say for (3) ...….. whether it was worn by a man or a woman,’ says Dr Ron Pinhasi, an archaeologist on the research (4) ...…... ‘We thought at first that it was about 600-700 years old because it was in such good shape.’ Shoes of this type from later periods have turned (5) ...….. in archaeological excavations in various places in Europe, and shoes of a very similar design were still being used on the Aran Islands off the west coast of Ireland as (6) …..... as the 1950s. It’s (7) …..... a style which (8) …..... popular for thousands of years.

• recently B lately C presently D immediately

• lately

• presently

• immediately

Multiple Choice

The oldest leather shoe in the world Archaeologists report that a perfectly preserved 5,500-year-old shoe has been discovered in a cave in Armenia in south-west Asia. It is (1) …..... to be the oldest leather shoe ever found. The shoe was made of a single piece of leather, stitched at the front and back, and was shaped to fit the wearer’s foot. It had been (2) …..... with grasses, either for warmth or to make sure it kept its shape. ‘The shoe is relatively small but we can’t say for (3) ...….. whether it was worn by a man or a woman,’ says Dr Ron Pinhasi, an archaeologist on the research (4) ...…... ‘We thought at first that it was about 600-700 years old because it was in such good shape.’ Shoes of this type from later periods have turned (5) ...….. in archaeological excavations in various places in Europe, and shoes of a very similar design were still being used on the Aran Islands off the west coast of Ireland as (6) …..... as the 1950s. It’s (7) …..... a style which (8) …..... popular for thousands of years.

• correctly B exactly C precisely D obviously

• exactly

• precisely

• obviously

Multiple Choice

The oldest leather shoe in the world Archaeologists report that a perfectly preserved 5,500-year-old shoe has been discovered in a cave in Armenia in south-west Asia. It is (1) …..... to be the oldest leather shoe ever found. The shoe was made of a single piece of leather, stitched at the front and back, and was shaped to fit the wearer’s foot. It had been (2) …..... with grasses, either for warmth or to make sure it kept its shape. ‘The shoe is relatively small but we can’t say for (3) ...….. whether it was worn by a man or a woman,’ says Dr Ron Pinhasi, an archaeologist on the research (4) ...…... ‘We thought at first that it was about 600-700 years old because it was in such good shape.’ Shoes of this type from later periods have turned (5) ...….. in archaeological excavations in various places in Europe, and shoes of a very similar design were still being used on the Aran Islands off the west coast of Ireland as (6) …..... as the 1950s. It’s (7) …..... a style which (8) …..... popular for thousands of years.

• held

• stood

• remained

• lasted