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ACCUPLACER Writing study materials
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ACCUPLACER Writing practice questions

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Question 1Sentence Structure

Which of the following is a complete sentence?

  1. The train arrived forty minutes late. Correct answer.
  2. Because the train arrived forty minutes late.
  3. Although the train arrived forty minutes late.
  4. The train arriving forty minutes late.

Explanation

A complete sentence needs a subject, a finite verb, and a clause that can stand on its own. The sentence about the train supplies all three, so it is independent.

Question 2Sentence Structure

Which sentence contains a comma splice?

  1. The rain stopped. We went for a walk.
  2. The rain stopped, so we went for a walk.
  3. The rain stopped; we went for a walk.
  4. The rain stopped, we went for a walk. Correct answer.

Explanation

A comma splice occurs when two independent clauses are joined with only a comma. "The rain stopped" and "we went for a walk" can each stand alone, so the comma alone is not enough.

Question 3Sentence Structure

Choose the verb that correctly completes the sentence: "The collection of rare coins ___ displayed in the lobby."

  1. is Correct answer.
  2. are
  3. have been
  4. were

Explanation

The subject is "collection," which is singular. The phrase "of rare coins" is a prepositional phrase and does not change the number of the subject, so a singular verb is required.

Question 4Sentence Structure

Choose the pronoun that correctly completes the sentence: "Between you and ___, the deadline seems unrealistic."

  1. me Correct answer.
  2. we
  3. I
  4. myself

Explanation

A pronoun that follows a preposition must appear in the objective case, and "between" is a preposition. "Me" is the objective form of the first-person pronoun.

Question 5Sentence Structure

Which sentence correctly joins two independent clauses with a semicolon?

  1. The museum closed early; because the storm knocked out the power.
  2. The museum closed early; the storm knocked out the power. Correct answer.
  3. The museum closed early; knocking out the power.
  4. The museum closed early; and the storm knocked out the power.

Explanation

A semicolon may join two independent clauses that are closely related in meaning. Only the first option places a complete clause on each side of the semicolon.

Question 6Sentence Structure

Choose the option that completes the sentence with parallel structure: "The workshop teaches interns to write clearly, to speak confidently, and ___."

  1. they think critically
  2. thinking critically
  3. critical thinking
  4. to think critically Correct answer.

Explanation

Items in a series must share the same grammatical form. The first two items are infinitive phrases ("to write," "to speak"), so the third item should also be an infinitive phrase.

Question 7Sentence Structure

Which sentence uses commas correctly?

  1. After the meeting ended; the staff went home.
  2. After the meeting ended the staff went home.
  3. After the meeting ended, the staff, went home.
  4. After the meeting ended, the staff went home. Correct answer.

Explanation

An introductory dependent clause is set off from the main clause by a single comma placed where the dependent clause ends. The comma belongs after "ended" and nowhere else.

Question 8Sentence Structure

Which sentence best combines these two ideas? "The dog barked. It woke the baby."

  1. The dog barked, it woke the baby.
  2. The dog barked, waking the baby. Correct answer.
  3. The dog barked and it waking the baby.
  4. The dog barked; the baby waking up.

Explanation

A participial phrase such as "waking the baby" lets the second idea modify the first without creating a second independent clause. This produces a smooth single sentence with a clear relationship between the ideas.

Question 9Sentence Structure

Which sentence is punctuated correctly?

  1. The vote was close; however, the measure passed. Correct answer.
  2. The vote was close, however, the measure passed easily.
  3. The vote was close, however the measure passed.
  4. The vote was close however; the measure passed.

Explanation

A conjunctive adverb such as "however" that joins two independent clauses takes a semicolon before it and a comma after it. Only the first option places both marks correctly.

Question 10Sentence Structure

Which revision corrects the dangling modifier in this sentence? "Walking through the park, the flowers were beautiful."

  1. The flowers were beautiful walking through the park.
  2. Walking through the park, the flowers were beautiful to see.
  3. Walking through the park, we saw beautiful flowers. Correct answer.
  4. Walking through the park, beauty was in the flowers.

Explanation

An introductory participial phrase must describe the subject of the main clause that follows it. In the original, the flowers appear to be the ones walking, so the subject must be changed to a person or thing that can walk.

Question 11Sentence Structure

Choose the option that completes the sentence with parallel structure: "The director asked for not only a revised budget but also ___."

  1. creating new timelines
  2. to create a new timeline
  3. timelines being new
  4. a new timeline Correct answer.

Explanation

Correlative conjunctions such as "not only... but also" must frame grammatically matching elements. "A revised budget" is a noun phrase, so the element after "but also" must also be a noun phrase.

Question 12Sentence Structure

Choose the pronoun that correctly completes the sentence: "The candidate ___ the board selected has not yet responded."

  1. who
  2. whom Correct answer.
  3. whose
  4. which

Explanation

The pronoun is the object of the verb "selected," so the objective form is required. "Whom" is the objective form of the relative pronoun.

Question 13Sentence Structure

Choose the verb that correctly completes the sentence: "Neither the manager nor the employees ___ willing to work the weekend."

  1. was
  2. has been
  3. is
  4. were Correct answer.

Explanation

When subjects are joined by "neither... nor," the verb agrees with the subject closer to it. The nearer subject, "employees," is plural, so a plural verb is needed.

Question 14Sentence Structure

Choose the verb that correctly completes the sentence: "By the time the guests arrived, the chef ___ the meal."

  1. will prepare
  2. had prepared Correct answer.
  3. prepares
  4. has prepared

Explanation

The arrival of the guests is in the past, and the cooking was completed before that past moment. The past perfect tense is used for the earlier of two past events.

Question 15Sentence Structure

Which revision corrects the sentence fragment? "The report that the committee submitted last week."

  1. The report submitted last week by the committee, rejected by the board.
  2. The report that the committee submitted last week; the board rejected it later on.
  3. The report that the committee submitted last week was rejected by the board. Correct answer.
  4. The report that the committee submitted last week, which was rejected by the board.

Explanation

The original consists of a noun plus a relative clause, which is a noun phrase rather than a clause with a main verb. Adding a finite verb and its complement turns it into an independent clause.

Question 16Sentence Structure

Which sentence uses a colon correctly?

  1. The team needed three things, funding: equipment, and time.
  2. The team needed three things; funding, equipment, and time.
  3. The team needed: three things, funding, equipment, and plenty of time.
  4. The team needed three things: funding, equipment, and time. Correct answer.

Explanation

A colon may introduce a list after an independent clause. The clause "The team needed three things" is complete, so the colon correctly signals the list that follows.

Question 17Sentence Structure

Which sentence is a fused sentence (a run-on with no punctuation between the clauses)?

  1. The lights flickered; the generator had failed.
  2. The lights flickered, and the generator had failed.
  3. The lights flickered. The generator had failed.
  4. The lights flickered the generator had failed. Correct answer.

Explanation

A fused sentence places two independent clauses side by side with no punctuation or conjunction at all. The first option runs "the lights flickered" directly into "the generator had failed."

Question 18Sentence Structure

Choose the verb that correctly completes the sentence: "The professor, together with her graduate students, ___ the results at the conference."

  1. present
  2. presents Correct answer.
  3. have presented
  4. are presenting

Explanation

The phrase "together with her graduate students" is an interrupting phrase, not part of a compound subject. The subject remains the singular noun "professor," which requires a singular verb.

Question 19Sentence Structure

Which sentence contains a dangling modifier?

  1. Having finished the report, the manager emailed it to the client.
  2. After finishing the report, the manager emailed it.
  3. Having finished the report, the deadline was met. Correct answer.
  4. The manager, having finished the report, emailed it to the client.

Explanation

A participial phrase must describe the subject of the main clause. In the last option the phrase "having finished the report" attaches to "the deadline," which cannot finish a report.

Question 20Sentence Structure

Choose the option that completes the sentence with parallel structure: "The report criticized the department for missing deadlines, for ignoring warnings, and ___."

  1. to underestimate costs
  2. because it underestimated costs
  3. costs were underestimated
  4. for underestimating costs Correct answer.

Explanation

The first two items are prepositional phrases beginning with "for" plus a gerund. The third item must repeat that structure so the series stays grammatically balanced.

Question 21Sentence Structure

A writer wants to identify which of several reports she means, not merely to add extra information. Which sentence is punctuated correctly for that purpose?

  1. The report that the committee released yesterday, contradicted the earlier draft.
  2. The report that the committee released yesterday contradicted the earlier draft. Correct answer.
  3. The report, that the committee released yesterday, contradicted the earlier draft.
  4. The report, that the committee released yesterday contradicted the earlier draft.

Explanation

A restrictive clause, one that identifies which report is meant, takes no commas and is usually introduced by "that." Keeping the clause unpunctuated ties it tightly to the noun it limits.

Question 22Sentence Structure

Which sentence makes an illogical comparison?

  1. Fuel efficiency in the new engine is greater than the fuel efficiency in the old one.
  2. The new engine's fuel efficiency is greater than the old engine. Correct answer.
  3. The new engine is more efficient than the old one.
  4. The new engine is more efficient than the engine it replaces.

Explanation

A comparison must set two like things side by side. The last option compares a fuel efficiency to an engine, while the other options compare engines to engines or efficiencies to efficiencies.

Question 23Sentence Structure

Choose the verb that correctly completes the sentence: "Each of the applicants ___ required to submit a portfolio."

  1. were
  2. are
  3. have been
  4. is Correct answer.

Explanation

The subject of the sentence is the indefinite pronoun "each," which is always singular. The plural noun "applicants" sits inside a prepositional phrase and cannot control the verb. A singular verb is therefore required.

Question 24Sentence Structure

Choose the word that correctly completes the sentence: "After the microphone was adjusted, the singer's voice sounded ___ throughout the hall."

  1. clarity
  2. clearness
  3. clearly
  4. clear Correct answer.

Explanation

"Sounded" functions here as a linking verb that connects the subject to a word describing it, so a predicate adjective is needed. "Clear" describes the voice itself rather than the manner of an action.

Question 25Sentence Structure

Which sentence correctly punctuates an introductory dependent clause?

  1. Although the proposal was expensive, the board approved it. Correct answer.
  2. Although, the proposal was expensive the board approved it.
  3. Although the proposal was quite expensive the board approved it.
  4. Although the proposal was expensive; the board approved it.

Explanation

An introductory dependent clause is separated from the main clause that follows it by a comma. A semicolon cannot be used because the opening clause is not independent. No comma belongs directly after the subordinating word "although."

Question 26Sentence Structure

Which option is a complete sentence?

  1. The storm knocked out power last night. Correct answer.
  2. Because the storm knocked out power to three neighborhoods.
  3. Knocking out power to three neighborhoods last night.
  4. The storm that knocked out power to three neighborhoods.

Explanation

A complete sentence needs a subject, a finite verb, and no subordinating word left dangling. Only the final option supplies a subject ("storm") with an independent verb ("knocked").

Question 27Sentence Structure

Which sentence uses a dash correctly to set off a parenthetical remark?

  1. The final ingredient-a pinch of saffron, made the dish distinctive.
  2. The final ingredient a pinch of saffron-made the dish distinctive.
  3. The final ingredient, a pinch of saffron-made the dish distinctive.
  4. The final ingredient-a pinch of saffron-made the dish distinctive. Correct answer.

Explanation

A dash used parenthetically must be paired, opening and closing the inserted remark. The interrupting element "a pinch of saffron" needs a dash on both sides so the main clause stays intact.

Question 28Sentence Structure

Choose the verb that correctly completes the sentence: "The principal, along with the teachers, ___ attending the ceremony."

  1. is Correct answer.
  2. have been
  3. are
  4. were

Explanation

"Along with the teachers" is a parenthetical phrase, not part of the compound subject, so the verb agrees with the singular noun "principal." Phrases introduced by "along with," "as well as," or "together with" do not make a subject plural.

Question 29Sentence Structure

Choose the pronoun that correctly completes the sentence: "The scholarship was awarded to my brother and ___."

  1. me Correct answer.
  2. myself
  3. mine
  4. I

Explanation

The pronoun completes a compound object of the preposition "to," so the objective case is required. "Me" is the objective form, matching the role played by "my brother."

Question 30Sentence Structure

Choose the verb that correctly completes the sentence: "Last summer, the interns ___ the archive every morning."

  1. will organize
  2. organize
  3. organizing
  4. organized Correct answer.

Explanation

The time marker "Last summer" places the action firmly in the past, so the simple past tense is required. The adverb "every morning" describes a repeated past routine, which the simple past handles well.

Question 31Sentence Structure

Which revision best corrects the run-on sentence "The deadline was approaching the team worked through the night"?

  1. The deadline was approaching the team, worked through the night.
  2. The deadline neared, so the team worked through the night. Correct answer.
  3. The deadline was approaching, the team worked through the night.
  4. The deadline was approaching the team worked through the night.

Explanation

A run-on needs a real joint between its two independent clauses, either a semicolon or a comma plus a coordinating conjunction. Adding "so" after a comma supplies that conjunction and shows the causal link.

Question 32Sentence Structure

Which sentence places the modifier so that the meaning is clear?

  1. She served sandwiches to the children on paper plates.
  2. Serving sandwiches to the children on paper plates, the plates were flimsy.
  3. She served the children sandwiches on paper plates. Correct answer.
  4. On paper plates, she served the children sandwiches.

Explanation

The phrase "on paper plates" should sit close to the noun it modifies, the sandwiches. Putting "the children" immediately after the verb keeps the plate phrase attached to the food rather than the people.

Question 33Sentence Structure

Choose the option that completes the sentence with parallel structure: "The internship program emphasizes punctuality, teamwork, and ___."

  1. the ability to communicate
  2. how to communicate
  3. being a good communicator
  4. clear communication Correct answer.

Explanation

Items in a series must share the same grammatical form. The first two items are plain nouns, so the third must also be a plain noun phrase.

Question 34Sentence Structure

Choose the pronoun that correctly completes the sentence: "___ did the committee choose to lead the project?"

  1. Whose
  2. Whom Correct answer.
  3. Whoever
  4. Who

Explanation

The missing pronoun is the object of the verb "choose," so the objective form is required. "Whom" is the objective case form of the interrogative pronoun.

Question 35Sentence Structure

Which revision corrects the dangling modifier in "Driving through the canyon, the scenery amazed the tourists"?

  1. The scenery was amazing, driving through the canyon to the tourists.
  2. As the tourists drove through the canyon, the scenery amazed them. Correct answer.
  3. Driving through the canyon, the scenery amazed the tourists who were visiting.
  4. Driving through the canyon, the scenery was amazing to the tourists.

Explanation

An introductory participial phrase must describe the subject of the main clause. In the original, the scenery cannot drive, so the doers of the action must be named as the subject; turning the phrase into a subordinate clause with "as the tourists drove" solves this.

Question 36Sentence Structure

Which revision corrects the sentence fragment "Because the museum closed early on Sunday"?

  1. Because the museum closed early on Sunday, we visited on the following Monday.
  2. We visited on Monday because the museum closed early on Sunday. Correct answer.
  3. The museum because it closed early on Sunday.
  4. The museum closed early on Sunday, because of which.

Explanation

The fragment consists of a subordinate clause that never attaches to a main clause. Adding an independent clause supplies the missing main subject and verb.

Question 37Sentence Structure

Choose the sentence that correctly joins the two clauses with a conjunctive adverb.

  1. The data were incomplete; however, the team reached a conclusion. Correct answer.
  2. The data were incomplete, however; the team nevertheless reached a conclusion.
  3. The data were incomplete however, the team reached a conclusion.
  4. The data were incomplete, however the team reached a conclusion.

Explanation

A conjunctive adverb joining two independent clauses needs a semicolon before it and a comma after it. "However" is an adverbial connector, not a coordinating conjunction, so a comma alone cannot carry the joint.

Question 38Sentence Structure

Choose the pronoun that correctly completes the sentence: "The supervisor and ___ reviewed the safety plan before the inspection."

  1. mine
  2. I Correct answer.
  3. me
  4. myself

Explanation

The pronoun shares the subject role with "the supervisor," so the subjective case is required. "I" is the subjective form that matches this compound subject.

Question 39Sentence Structure

Which sentence places the correlative conjunctions correctly?

  1. The award recognizes not only creativity but also the persistence shown by the staff.
  2. The award not only recognizes creativity but also persistence.
  3. Not only the award recognizes creativity but also persistence.
  4. The award recognizes not only creativity but also persistence. Correct answer.

Explanation

Correlative conjunctions must be followed by parallel grammatical structures. Placing "not only" directly before "creativity" and "but also" directly before "persistence" balances the two objects.

Question 40Sentence Structure

Which sentence contains an unclear pronoun reference?

  1. When the supervisor met with the technician, the supervisor explained the new procedure.
  2. The supervisor explained the new procedure to the technician.
  3. After meeting with the technician, the supervisor explained the new procedure.
  4. When the supervisor met with the technician, she explained the new procedure. Correct answer.

Explanation

A pronoun should point to exactly one possible antecedent. Here two nouns, "supervisor" and "technician," could both be the person meant by "she."

Question 41Sentence Structure

Choose the verb that correctly completes the sentence: "There ___ several reasons to delay the vote."

  1. has been
  2. are Correct answer.
  3. is
  4. was

Explanation

In a sentence beginning with "there," the true subject follows the verb. The subject here is "reasons," which is plural, so a plural verb is needed.

Question 42Sentence Structure

Choose the verb that correctly completes the sentence: "The board recommended that the new policy ___ implemented by June."

  1. was
  2. be Correct answer.
  3. will be
  4. is

Explanation

Verbs expressing a demand, request, or recommendation take a "that" clause in the subjunctive mood. The subjunctive uses the base form of the verb regardless of the subject or time frame.

Question 43Sentence Structure

Which revision corrects the dangling modifier in "To improve accuracy, the measurements were repeated"?

  1. The measurements were repeated, to improve accuracy.
  2. To improve accuracy, the technician repeated the measurements. Correct answer.
  3. To improve accuracy, the measurements were repeated by the technician.
  4. Improving accuracy, the measurements were repeated.

Explanation

An infinitive phrase at the start of a sentence modifies the subject of the main clause. The measurements cannot intend to improve accuracy, so the person who does the intending must be made the subject.

Question 44Sentence Structure

Which sentence places "only" so that it clearly means that the manager, and no one else, approved the budget?

  1. Only the manager approved the budget yesterday. Correct answer.
  2. The manager approved only the budget yesterday.
  3. Only yesterday the manager approved the budget.
  4. The manager only approved the budget yesterday.

Explanation

A limiting word such as "only" restricts the word or phrase that immediately follows it. To restrict the doer of the action, "only" must sit right before the subject.

Question 45Sentence Structure

Which sentence corrects the faulty predication in "The reason the flight was delayed is because of fog"?

  1. The reason the flight was delayed is because heavy fog moved in.
  2. The reason for the flight's delay is because fog moved in.
  3. The reason the flight was delayed is because fog had moved in.
  4. The reason the flight was delayed is that fog moved in. Correct answer.

Explanation

"The reason is" must be completed by a noun clause introduced by "that," not by "because," which duplicates the causal idea already stated. The corrected version keeps a single statement of cause.

Question 46Sentence Structure

Choose the verb that correctly completes the sentence: "Under the eaves of the old barn ___ several nests."

  1. were Correct answer.
  2. has been
  3. was
  4. is

Explanation

In a sentence that opens with a prepositional phrase, the subject follows the verb. The subject is the plural noun "nests," so a plural verb is required.

Question 47Sentence Structure

Which sentence correctly joins two independent clauses?

  1. The rain stopped the players returned to the field.
  2. The rain stopped, the players returned to the field.
  3. The rain stopped, and the players returned to the field. Correct answer.
  4. The rain stopped, the players, returned to the field.

Explanation

Two independent clauses can be joined by a comma plus a coordinating conjunction, a semicolon, or a period. “And” is a coordinating conjunction, so the comma before it is correct.

Question 48Sentence Structure

Choose the verb that correctly completes the sentence: "Neither the manager nor the clerks ___ available for the weekend shift."

  1. was
  2. has been
  3. were Correct answer.
  4. is

Explanation

With “neither . . . nor,” the verb agrees with the subject nearer to it. “Clerks” is plural, so the plural verb “were” is required.

Question 49Sentence Structure

Which item is a complete sentence?

  1. When the curtain rose.
  2. After the final scene ended.
  3. The audience applauded loudly. Correct answer.
  4. Although the lights were dim.

Explanation

A complete sentence needs an independent clause with a subject and a finite verb. “The audience applauded loudly” has both and can stand alone.

Question 50Sentence Structure

Choose the pronoun that correctly completes the sentence: "___ constant questions slowed the meeting."

  1. There
  2. They
  3. They're
  4. Their Correct answer.

Explanation

A possessive pronoun is needed to modify the noun “questions.” “Their” shows possession and fits before the noun.