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WorkKeys Business Writing study materials
WorkKeys Business Writing study resources

WorkKeys Business Writing practice questions

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Question 1Sentence Structure

Which of the following is a complete sentence?

  1. Because the budget was approved by the manager.
  2. After the manager approved the budget.
  3. The manager approved the budget. Correct answer.
  4. The budget approved by the manager.

Explanation

A complete sentence needs a subject, a finite verb, and a complete thought. The other choices are dependent clauses or phrases that cannot stand alone.

Question 2Sentence Structure

Each of the employees ___ a security badge.

  1. have worn
  2. wear
  3. wears Correct answer.
  4. are wearing

Explanation

The subject is 'Each,' which is singular, so the verb must be singular. The phrase 'of the employees' does not change the number of the subject.

Question 3Sentence Structure

Which sentence correctly fixes the comma splice?

  1. The meeting ran long, and missing lunch.
  2. The meeting ran long, we therefore missed lunch.
  3. The meeting ran long, so we missed lunch. Correct answer.
  4. The meeting ran long, we missed lunch.

Explanation

A comma alone cannot join two independent clauses. Adding the coordinating conjunction 'so' after the comma correctly links the two complete thoughts.

Question 4Sentence Structure

Which sentence is punctuated correctly?

  1. The report was due Friday however, it was submitted Monday.
  2. The report was due Friday however it was submitted Monday.
  3. The report was due Friday, however it was submitted on Monday morning.
  4. The report was due Friday; however, it was submitted Monday. Correct answer.

Explanation

A conjunctive adverb such as 'however' joining two independent clauses needs a semicolon before it and a comma after it. The other choices create a run-on or misplace the comma.

Question 5Sentence Structure

The company updated ___ policy on remote work.

  1. its Correct answer.
  2. their
  3. it's
  4. they're

Explanation

The company is a singular entity, so the possessive pronoun should be singular: 'its.' The form 'it's' is a contraction meaning 'it is.'

Question 6Sentence Structure

The assistant is responsible for answering calls, filing reports, and ___.

  1. to schedule meetings
  2. meetings scheduled
  3. scheduling meetings Correct answer.
  4. schedule meetings

Explanation

Items in a series should use parallel grammatical forms. The first two items are gerunds ('answering,' 'filing'), so the third should also be a gerund.

Question 7Sentence Structure

Which sentence correctly punctuates an introductory dependent clause?

  1. When the shipment arrives notify the warehouse.
  2. When the shipment arrives, notify the warehouse. Correct answer.
  3. When the shipment arrives: notify the warehouse staff right away.
  4. When the shipment arrives; notify the warehouse immediately.

Explanation

An introductory dependent clause is followed by a comma before the main clause. A semicolon or colon does not correctly separate a dependent clause from its main clause.

Question 8Sentence Structure

Which sentence contains a compound subject?

  1. The director attended the conference after the assistant arrived.
  2. The director attended the conference and took notes.
  3. The director, who arrived early, attended the conference.
  4. The director and the assistant attended the conference. Correct answer.

Explanation

A compound subject contains two or more subjects joined by a conjunction. Here 'the director and the assistant' are both subjects of 'attended.'

Question 9Sentence Structure

The list of approved vendors ___ updated monthly.

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

Explanation

The subject is 'list,' which is singular. The phrase 'of approved vendors' is a prepositional phrase and does not determine the verb.

Question 10Sentence Structure

Between you and ___, the deadline is unrealistic.

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

Explanation

A pronoun after a preposition takes the object form. 'Between' is a preposition, so 'me' is correct.

Question 11Sentence Structure

Which sentence places the modifier clearly?

  1. Wrapped in foil, she served sandwiches to the guests.
  2. She served sandwiches to the guests wrapped in foil.
  3. She served the guests sandwiches that were wrapped in foil. Correct answer.
  4. She served sandwiches to the guests that were wrapped in foil.

Explanation

A modifier should sit next to the word it describes. Only the correct sentence makes it clear that the sandwiches, not the guests or the server, were wrapped in foil.

Question 12Sentence Structure

The proposal was both practical and ___.

  1. at an affordable cost
  2. affordability
  3. affordable Correct answer.
  4. it was affordable

Explanation

Correlative conjunctions such as 'both ... and' require parallel elements. 'Practical' is an adjective, so the second element should also be an adjective.

Question 13Sentence Structure

When the auditor arrived, she ___ the records and began her review.

  1. checks
  2. checked Correct answer.
  3. has checked
  4. will check

Explanation

The sentence describes past events, and the verb should match the past tense of 'arrived' and 'began.' 'Checked' keeps the tense consistent.

Question 14Sentence Structure

Walking into the office, ___.

  1. there was a new layout
  2. the lights were bright
  3. I noticed the new layout Correct answer.
  4. the new layout was noticed

Explanation

An introductory participial phrase must modify the subject of the main clause. The person walking into the office is 'I,' so 'I' must be the subject.

Question 15Sentence Structure

Which sentence uses commas correctly with a nonessential clause?

  1. The new policy, which takes effect Monday applies to all staff members.
  2. The new policy which takes effect Monday applies to all staff members.
  3. The new policy, which takes effect Monday, applies to all staff. Correct answer.
  4. The new policy which takes effect Monday, applies to all staff members.

Explanation

A nonessential clause gives extra information and must be set off by commas on both sides. Omitting either comma or both commas makes the punctuation incorrect.

Question 16Sentence Structure

The storm damaged the roof. The office remained open. Which sentence best combines the two ideas?

  1. The storm damaged the roof, and the office remained open, although.
  2. The storm damaged the roof, the office remained open.
  3. Although the storm damaged the roof, the office remained open. Correct answer.
  4. The storm damaged the roof; therefore, the office remained open for business.

Explanation

The two ideas contrast, so 'although' correctly shows the relationship. A comma alone creates a splice, and 'therefore' incorrectly suggests the damage caused the office to stay open.

Question 17Sentence Structure

Neither the manager nor the employees ___ available for the call.

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

Explanation

With 'neither ... nor,' the verb agrees with the subject nearer to it. The nearer subject is 'employees,' which is plural, so the plural verb 'were' is correct.

Question 18Sentence Structure

Which revision removes the vague pronoun from this sentence? 'In the report, it states that sales increased.'

  1. It states in the report that sales increased.
  2. In the report, they state that sales increased.
  3. In the report, it states that sales increased.
  4. The report states that sales increased. Correct answer.

Explanation

A pronoun should refer clearly to a specific noun. Replacing 'it' with 'the report' gives the sentence a clear subject.

Question 19Sentence Structure

Which sentence uses a colon correctly?

  1. The shipment contained three items, paper, pens, and folders.
  2. The shipment contained three items paper, pens, and folders.
  3. The shipment contained three items: paper, pens, and folders. Correct answer.
  4. The shipment contained three items; paper, pens, and folders were included.

Explanation

A colon may introduce a list after a complete independent clause. The clause before the colon must be able to stand alone.

Question 20Sentence Structure

Which sentence uses commas correctly with an appositive?

  1. My supervisor a former auditor approved the request without delay.
  2. My supervisor, a former auditor, approved the request. Correct answer.
  3. My supervisor a former auditor, approved the request.
  4. My supervisor, a former auditor approved the request.

Explanation

An appositive is a noun phrase that renames another noun and should be set off by commas on both sides. The sentence needs commas before and after 'a former auditor.'

Question 21Sentence Structure

Which sentence uses parallel structure correctly?

  1. The director asked that the report be completed by Friday and all staff reviewing it before the meeting.
  2. The director asked that the report be completed by Friday and that all staff review it. Correct answer.
  3. The director asked that the report be completed by Friday and all staff to review it before the meeting.
  4. The director asked the report be completed by Friday and that all staff review it before the meeting.

Explanation

Parallel structure requires matching forms for coordinated elements. Both parts should use 'that' clauses with the same verb form.

Question 22Sentence Structure

Among the proposals ___ several that address workplace safety.

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

Explanation

The subject follows the verb in this inverted sentence. The true subject is 'several,' which is plural, so the plural verb 'are' is required.

Question 23Sentence Structure

Many of the employees have updated ___ passwords.

  1. their Correct answer.
  2. there
  3. his or her
  4. its

Explanation

The pronoun must agree with its antecedent in number. 'Many' is plural, so the plural possessive 'their' is correct.

Question 24Sentence Structure

By the time the client arrived, the team ___ the proposal.

  1. finished
  2. has finished
  3. had finished Correct answer.
  4. finishes

Explanation

The past perfect tense describes an action completed before another past action. The team finished before the client arrived, so 'had finished' is correct.

Question 25Sentence Structure

In the sentence 'The report that the committee reviewed was thorough,' what is the function of 'that the committee reviewed'?

  1. an independent clause that is joined by the word 'that'
  2. an adverb clause modifying 'reviewed'
  3. a noun clause serving as the subject
  4. an adjective clause modifying 'report' Correct answer.

Explanation

The clause describes the noun 'report,' so it functions as an adjective (relative) clause. It is dependent because it cannot stand alone as a complete sentence.

Question 26Sentence Structure

Which sentence correctly joins two independent clauses?

  1. The audit ended early; the team sent the report Friday. Correct answer.
  2. The audit ended early, the team sent the report Friday.
  3. The audit ended early, and sent the report Friday.
  4. The audit ended early the team sent the report Friday.

Explanation

Two independent clauses must be separated by a period, a semicolon, or a comma plus a coordinating conjunction. A semicolon alone is a complete and correct boundary between two closely related independent clauses. The other options either omit any boundary or drop the subject needed by the second clause.

Question 27Sentence Structure

Which item is a complete sentence?

  1. The accounting clerk flagged the invoice for review. Correct answer.
  2. Because the invoice was missing a purchase order number.
  3. Although the invoice required a purchase order.
  4. Flagging the invoice for missing information.

Explanation

A complete sentence needs a subject, a finite verb, and the ability to stand alone as a finished thought. This option supplies both a subject ('clerk') and a verb ('flagged') and expresses a complete idea. The others are a subordinate clause, a participial phrase, and another subordinate clause, none of which can stand alone.

Question 28Sentence Structure

Which sentence punctuates the conjunctive adverb correctly?

  1. The shipment arrived late however; the contents were undamaged.
  2. The shipment arrived late; however, the contents were undamaged. Correct answer.
  3. The shipment arrived late, however the contents inside were undamaged.
  4. The shipment arrived late, however; the contents were undamaged.

Explanation

A conjunctive adverb such as 'however' joining two independent clauses takes a semicolon before it and a comma after it. The semicolon marks the end of the first clause, and the comma sets off the transitional word. Commas on both sides create a comma splice, and placing the semicolon after the adverb misplaces the clause boundary.

Question 29Sentence Structure

Which sentence contains two independent clauses and one dependent clause?

  1. Although the deadline was extremely tight, the team delivered the proposal on time.
  2. Delivering the proposal ahead of schedule, the team impressed the client.
  3. The team delivered the proposal on time, and the client quickly approved it.
  4. Because time was short, the team delivered early, and the client approved. Correct answer.

Explanation

A sentence with two independent clauses and one dependent clause is compound-complex. This option has the dependent clause 'Because time was short' plus two independent clauses, 'the team delivered early' and 'the client approved.' The remaining options contain only one independent clause or only one clause plus a phrase.

Question 30Mechanics

Choose the verb that correctly completes the sentence: The weekly status report, along with the attached charts, ___ due every Friday.

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

Explanation

The grammatical subject is 'report,' which is singular. The phrase 'along with the attached charts' is parenthetical and does not change the number of the subject, so a singular verb is required.

Question 31Mechanics

Choose the word that correctly completes the sentence: The committee released ___ final recommendations on Tuesday.

  1. its Correct answer.
  2. it's
  3. its'
  4. they're

Explanation

'Its' is the possessive form of 'it' and shows ownership of the recommendations. The apostrophe forms are contractions or nonstandard spellings and cannot function as possessives.

Question 32Mechanics

Choose the word that correctly completes the sentence: All four ___ desks were moved to the new wing.

  1. employees's
  2. employees
  3. employees' Correct answer.
  4. employee's

Explanation

The desks belong to more than one employee, so the plural possessive is needed. A plural noun ending in -s forms the possessive by adding only an apostrophe after the s.

Question 33Mechanics

Which sentence uses commas correctly?

  1. The shipment included, laptops, monitors, keyboards, and docking stations.
  2. The shipment included laptops, monitors, keyboards, and docking stations. Correct answer.
  3. The shipment included laptops, monitors, keyboards and, docking stations.
  4. The shipment included laptops monitors keyboards, and docking stations.

Explanation

Items in a series are separated by commas, with a comma placed before the conjunction that precedes the final item. No comma should separate the verb from its object.

Question 34Mechanics

Choose the word that correctly completes the sentence: The new overtime rule will ___ every employee in the department.

  1. affect Correct answer.
  2. effected
  3. effect
  4. affects

Explanation

'Affect' is a verb meaning to influence, which is the meaning needed here. After the helping verb 'will,' the base form of the verb must be used.

Question 35Mechanics

Choose the word that correctly completes the sentence: Because of the budget cut, we can hire ___ temporary workers this quarter.

  1. less
  2. fewer Correct answer.
  3. lesser
  4. fewest

Explanation

'Fewer' is used with plural count nouns such as 'workers,' which can be counted individually. 'Less' applies to uncountable quantities.

Question 36Mechanics

Which revision correctly repairs the comma splice in this sentence? The deadline was extended, we had more time to review the proposal.

  1. The deadline was extended, and we had, more time to review the proposal.
  2. The deadline was extended we had more time to review the proposal.
  3. Because the deadline was extended, we had more time to review the proposal. Correct answer.
  4. The deadline was extended, we therefore had more time to review the proposal.

Explanation

A comma alone cannot join two independent clauses. Turning the first clause into a subordinate clause beginning with 'because' creates one complete sentence with a single independent clause.

Question 37Mechanics

Which sentence uses a semicolon correctly?

  1. The vendor missed the deadline; and we lost the contract.
  2. The vendor missed; the deadline, and we lost the contract.
  3. The vendor missed the deadline; consequently, we lost the contract. Correct answer.
  4. The vendor missed the deadline; because we lost the contract.

Explanation

A semicolon may join two independent clauses, especially when a conjunctive adverb such as 'consequently' begins the second clause. The adverb is then followed by a comma.

Question 38Mechanics

Choose the option that keeps the series parallel: The new hire is responsible for answering phones, filing reports, and ___.

  1. scheduling meetings Correct answer.
  2. the scheduling of meetings
  3. meetings that are scheduled
  4. to schedule meetings

Explanation

All items in a series should share the same grammatical form. The first two items are gerund phrases, so the third must also be a gerund phrase.

Question 39Mechanics

Which sentence avoids a dangling modifier?

  1. After reviewing the figures, the auditor found several errors. Correct answer.
  2. After reviewing the figures, it was clear that errors existed.
  3. After reviewing the figures, the report contained several errors.
  4. After reviewing the figures, the errors were obvious to the auditor.

Explanation

An introductory participial phrase must describe the subject of the main clause. Only here is the person who reviewed the figures the same as the subject, 'the auditor.'

Question 40Mechanics

Choose the verb that correctly completes the sentence: Last quarter the team analyzed the survey data and ___ a summary for the board.

  1. has written
  2. is writing
  3. wrote Correct answer.
  4. writes

Explanation

The two verbs joined by 'and' should use the same tense. Because 'analyzed' is simple past, the second verb must also be simple past.

Question 41Mechanics

Which phrase is punctuated correctly?

  1. a welldesign plan
  2. a well designed plan
  3. a well-designed plan Correct answer.
  4. a well designed-plan

Explanation

Two or more words acting together as a single adjective before a noun are joined by a hyphen. 'Well-designed' modifies 'plan,' so the hyphen belongs between the two words.

Question 42Mechanics

Choose the word that correctly completes the sentence: The consultant ___ we hired last month has already delivered two reports.

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

Explanation

The pronoun serves as the object of the verb 'hired,' so the objective form 'whom' is required. 'Who' and 'whoever' are subject forms.

Question 43Mechanics

Which sentence uses 'that' or 'which' correctly?

  1. The proposal, that we rejected, needs revision.
  2. The proposal that was submitted on Monday which we rejected needs revision.
  3. The proposal that we rejected needs revision. Correct answer.
  4. The proposal which we rejected, needs revision.

Explanation

An essential (restrictive) clause that identifies which proposal is meant takes 'that' and no commas. Only one sentence follows that pattern.

Question 44Mechanics

Which sentence is written in the active voice?

  1. The new slogan was approved by the marketing team.
  2. Approval of the new slogan was given.
  3. The new slogan has been approved.
  4. The marketing team approved the new slogan. Correct answer.

Explanation

In active voice the subject performs the action of the verb. Here the marketing team is the actor and directly performs the approving.

Question 45Mechanics

Which sentence punctuates the quotation correctly?

  1. The supervisor said, "Send the invoice today." Correct answer.
  2. "Send the invoice today", the supervisor said.
  3. The supervisor said "Send the invoice today."
  4. The supervisor said, "Send the invoice today".

Explanation

A comma introduces the quoted words when the attribution comes first, and in American style the period belongs inside the closing quotation mark.

Question 46Mechanics

Choose the verb that correctly completes the sentence: Neither the manager nor the assistants ___ available for the call.

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

Explanation

With a 'neither...nor' construction, the verb agrees with the subject closer to it. The nearer subject, 'assistants,' is plural, so a plural verb is required.

Question 47Mechanics

Choose the verb that correctly completes the sentence: The director requested that the report ___ submitted by noon.

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

Explanation

Verbs of request or demand take the subjunctive mood in a 'that' clause, and the subjunctive uses the base form of the verb regardless of tense.

Question 48Mechanics

Choose the verb that correctly completes the sentence: The new policy not only reduces costs but also ___ morale.

  1. to improve
  2. improve
  3. improving
  4. improves Correct answer.

Explanation

The two parts of a 'not only...but also' construction must be parallel in form and must share the same subject. Because the subject 'policy' is singular, the second verb requires the -s ending.

Question 49Mechanics

Choose the verb that correctly completes the sentence: Had the shipment ___ yesterday, we would have met the deadline.

  1. arriving
  2. arrived Correct answer.
  3. had arrived
  4. arrive

Explanation

This is an inverted past counterfactual conditional: 'Had' already carries the auxiliary, so the main verb appears in its past participle form 'arrived.'

Question 50Mechanics

Which sentence has a clear pronoun reference?

  1. The manager met with the vendor, and he agreed to lower the price.
  2. The manager asked the vendor to lower the price, and the vendor agreed. Correct answer.
  3. The manager and the vendor discussed the contract, and he agreed to lower the price.
  4. After the vendor met the manager, he agreed to lower the price.

Explanation

A pronoun must refer to exactly one possible antecedent. Repeating the noun 'vendor' removes all doubt about who agreed to the price reduction.