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NAPLAN practice questions

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Question 1writing

Which sentence is punctuated correctly?

  1. The dog barked loudly, and the cat ran away. Correct answer.
  2. The dog barked loudly and the cat ran away,
  3. The dog barked loudly and the cat, ran away.
  4. The dog barked loudly and, the cat ran away.

Explanation

When two independent clauses are joined by a coordinating conjunction such as 'and', a comma is placed before the conjunction. Each clause here has its own subject and verb, so the comma is required. Placing the comma elsewhere breaks the natural grouping of words.

Question 2writing

Which word correctly completes the sentence: 'She was ___ tired to finish her homework'?

  1. tow
  2. too Correct answer.
  3. to
  4. two

Explanation

'Too' is an adverb meaning 'excessively' and is the word needed before an adjective like 'tired'. The word 'to' is a preposition or part of an infinitive, 'two' is a number, and 'tow' is a verb meaning to pull. Only 'too' fits the meaning of the sentence.

Question 3writing

Which option is a complete sentence rather than a fragment?

  1. The students finished their projects. Correct answer.
  2. Running quickly down the hill.
  3. After the long and noisy meeting.
  4. Because the train was late.

Explanation

A complete sentence needs a subject and a finite verb that can stand alone. 'The students finished their projects' contains both a subject and a complete verb. The other options are dependent clauses or phrases that leave the reader waiting for more information.

Question 4writing

Which word is a synonym for 'enormous'?

  1. Quiet
  2. Rapid
  3. Tiny
  4. Huge Correct answer.

Explanation

Synonyms are words with similar meanings. 'Enormous' describes something very large in size, and 'huge' carries the same meaning. The other options describe smallness, sound level or speed rather than size.

Question 5writing

Which sentence uses the apostrophe correctly?

  1. The dog's bowl was empty. Correct answer.
  2. The dogs' bowl was empty and it belonged to one dog.
  3. The dogs bowl was empty.
  4. The dog's were barking loudly.

Explanation

An apostrophe before the 's' shows possession by a single owner, so 'the dog's bowl' means the bowl of one dog. When the apostrophe is placed after the 's', it signals more than one owner. Omitting the apostrophe or using it to form a plural verb is incorrect.

Question 6writing

Which sentence is written in the past tense?

  1. She will walk to school tomorrow.
  2. She is walking to school now.
  3. She walked to school yesterday. Correct answer.
  4. She walks to school every morning.

Explanation

The simple past tense is usually formed by adding '-ed' to regular verbs, giving 'walked'. Time words such as 'yesterday' also signal past time. The other options describe habitual, future or ongoing present actions.

Question 7writing

Which option correctly joins these two sentences: 'The library was closed. We went home.'?

  1. The library was closed so we went home. Correct answer.
  2. The library was closed we went home.
  3. The library was closed, we went home.
  4. The library was closed, so, we went home.

Explanation

Two independent clauses can be joined by a coordinating conjunction such as 'so' to show cause and effect. A comma before the conjunction is optional when the clauses are short. Joining them with only a comma creates a comma splice, and joining them with nothing creates a run-on.

Question 8writing

Which sentence uses 'their', 'there' or 'they're' correctly?

  1. Theyre going to the beach later.
  2. They're going to the beach later. Correct answer.
  3. Their going to the beach later.
  4. There going to the beach later.

Explanation

'They're' is the contraction of 'they are' and fits before the verb 'going'. 'Their' is a possessive determiner, 'there' indicates place or existence, and the version without an apostrophe is a misspelling. Only the contraction completes the sentence grammatically.

Question 9writing

Which sentence uses the semicolon correctly?

  1. I packed; a raincoat the forecast was bad.
  2. I packed a raincoat; because the forecast was bad.
  3. I packed a raincoat; and the forecast was bad.
  4. I packed a raincoat; the forecast was bad. Correct answer.

Explanation

A semicolon can link two closely related independent clauses without a conjunction. Both 'I packed a raincoat' and 'the forecast was bad' can stand alone, so the semicolon is appropriate. It should not be used before a subordinating conjunction or a coordinating conjunction.

Question 10writing

Which sentence contains a dangling modifier?

  1. Walking through the park, we admired the flowers.
  2. While we walked through the park, the flowers looked beautiful.
  3. We admired the flowers while walking through the park.
  4. Walking through the park, the flowers looked beautiful. Correct answer.

Explanation

A dangling modifier is an introductory phrase whose intended subject is not the subject of the main clause. In the first option, the flowers appear to be doing the walking. The other options make the person or clause relationship clear.

Question 11writing

Which word best completes the sentence: 'The scientist's findings were so ___ that the theory had to be revised'?

  1. signify
  2. significant Correct answer.
  3. significance
  4. significantly

Explanation

After 'were so' an adjective is needed to describe the findings. 'Significant' is the adjective form, while the other options are a noun, an adverb and a verb. Only the adjective fits the grammatical slot.

Question 12writing

Which sentence uses commas correctly to separate items in a list?

  1. We bought apples, oranges and bananas. Correct answer.
  2. We bought apples oranges, and bananas.
  3. We bought, apples oranges and bananas.
  4. We bought apples, oranges, and, bananas.

Explanation

Commas separate items in a list, and the final item is usually joined by 'and' without an extra comma in Australian usage. The comma must sit between items, not immediately after the verb. Extra commas around the conjunction are unnecessary.

Question 13writing

Which sentence is written in the active voice?

  1. The cake had been baked by my grandmother.
  2. The cake was baked by my grandmother.
  3. The cake was baked yesterday.
  4. My grandmother baked the cake. Correct answer.

Explanation

In the active voice the subject performs the action of the verb. In 'My grandmother baked the cake', the grandmother is the doer. The other options place the cake first and use a form of 'be' with a past participle, which is passive voice.

Question 14writing

Which sentence uses the correct comparative form?

  1. This book is more interesting than that one. Correct answer.
  2. This book is most interesting than that one.
  3. This book is more interestingest than that one.
  4. This book is interestinger than that one.

Explanation

Longer adjectives form the comparative with 'more' rather than by adding '-er'. 'More interesting than' is the correct comparative structure. Double comparatives and superlative forms used with 'than' are both incorrect.

Question 15writing

Which sentence uses a colon correctly?

  1. She needed: three things a pen, paper and glue.
  2. She needed three things; a pen: paper and glue.
  3. She needed three things: a pen, paper and glue. Correct answer.
  4. She needed three things, a pen: paper and glue.

Explanation

A colon introduces a list or explanation after a complete clause. In the correct option the clause 'She needed three things' is complete before the colon, and the list follows. Placing a colon between a verb and its object is not standard.

Question 16writing

Which sentence best maintains a consistent formal tone?

  1. The report says heaps of people are ditching work, so the committee reckons new stuff is needed.
  2. The report indicates absenteeism has risen, so the committee wants new stuff.
  3. The report indicates that absenteeism has risen; consequently, the committee recommends new measures. Correct answer.
  4. The report indicates that absenteeism has risen, and the committee recommends new measures.

Explanation

Formal writing avoids slang and vague words such as 'heaps', 'reckons' and 'stuff', and it uses precise connectives. The first option keeps a consistent register with 'indicates' and 'consequently'. The third option mixes formal vocabulary with the informal 'stuff'.

Question 17writing

Which sentence corrects the misplaced modifier in 'She served sandwiches to the children on paper plates'?

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

Explanation

The phrase 'on paper plates' should sit next to the thing it describes, which is the sandwiches or the serving, not the children. Placing it directly after 'sandwiches' removes the suggestion that the children are on plates. The original order creates an unintended meaning.

Question 18writing

Which option correctly uses 'affect' or 'effect'?

  1. The weather can have an affect on our plans.
  2. The weather can affect our plans. Correct answer.
  3. The weather has an affect on our plans.
  4. The weather can effect our plans.

Explanation

'Affect' is usually a verb meaning to influence, while 'effect' is usually a noun meaning a result. The sentence needs the verb, so 'affect' is correct. The other options misuse the noun form or use 'effect' as a verb inappropriately.

Question 19writing

Which revision best removes the wordiness from 'Due to the fact that it was raining, the game was cancelled'?

  1. Due to the fact of rain, the game was cancelled.
  2. Owing to the fact that rain happened, the game was cancelled.
  3. Because it was raining, the game was cancelled. Correct answer.
  4. In view of the fact that it rained, the game was cancelled.

Explanation

Concise writing replaces long phrases with single words where possible. 'Due to the fact that' can be reduced to 'because' without any loss of meaning. The other options keep or extend the wordy construction.

Question 20writing

Which sentence uses parallel structure correctly?

  1. The job requires patience, accuracy and reliability. Correct answer.
  2. The job requires patience, accuracy and to be reliable.
  3. The job requires patience, being accurate and you must be reliable.
  4. The job requires patience, accuracy and that you are reliable.

Explanation

Items in a list should share the same grammatical form. Here three abstract nouns, 'patience', 'accuracy' and 'reliability', form a balanced series. Mixing nouns with infinitives or clauses breaks the parallelism.

Question 21writing

Which sentence uses the subjunctive mood correctly?

  1. If I be you, I would apologise.
  2. If I were you, I would apologise. Correct answer.
  3. If I am you, I would apologise.
  4. If I was you, I would apologise.

Explanation

The subjunctive form 'were' is used in hypothetical conditions that are contrary to fact, such as 'If I were you'. It signals an imagined situation rather than a real one. The other forms do not match the hypothetical meaning of the sentence.

Question 22writing

Which sentence uses the correct pronoun case?

  1. Between yourself and I, the plan seems risky.
  2. Between you and myself, the plan seems risky.
  3. Between you and I, the plan seems risky.
  4. Between you and me, the plan seems risky. Correct answer.

Explanation

A preposition such as 'between' takes the object form of a pronoun, so 'me' is correct rather than 'I'. The phrase 'you and me' is the object of the preposition. Using 'I' after a preposition is a common hypercorrection.

Question 23writing

Which sentence uses a dash most effectively for emphasis?

  1. The result was clear nobody - had checked the figures.
  2. The result was clear - nobody had - checked the figures.
  3. The result was clear - nobody had checked the figures. Correct answer.
  4. The result was - clear nobody had checked the figures.

Explanation

A dash can introduce a dramatic explanation or afterthought after a complete clause. In the first option the dash separates the statement from its striking explanation. Dashes placed mid-phrase disrupt the sentence and obscure the meaning.

Question 24writing

Which sentence best uses a rhetorical device to persuade readers to protect forests?

  1. Forests are important because they provide habitat and clean air.
  2. Forests give us breath, shelter and shade; who among us would destroy them? Correct answer.
  3. Forests are areas of land covered mainly with trees and undergrowth.
  4. Many forests exist in various countries around the world.

Explanation

Persuasive writing often uses a rhetorical question to involve the reader and appeal to shared values. The second option combines emotive language with a question that invites agreement. The other options are neutral statements of fact without persuasive force.

Question 25writing

Which sentence is a complete sentence rather than a fragment?

  1. Because the bus was late.
  2. The students waited outside the hall. Correct answer.
  3. Running quickly down the hill.
  4. After the final bell rang.

Explanation

A complete sentence needs a subject and a finite verb that express a full thought. 'The students waited outside the hall' supplies both a subject and a working verb. The other options are subordinate clauses or phrases that leave the reader waiting for a main clause.

Question 26writing

Which option correctly joins these ideas into one compound sentence: 'The rain stopped. The match began.'?

  1. The rain stopped; and the match began.
  2. The rain stopped, the match began.
  3. The rain stopped and the match began.
  4. The rain stopped, and the match began. Correct answer.

Explanation

Two independent clauses joined by a coordinating conjunction need a comma before that conjunction. 'And' links the clauses as equals, so the comma is required. Omitting the comma or adding a semicolon before 'and' breaks standard punctuation rules.

Question 27writing

Which sentence uses the correct form of the verb to complete the conditional?

  1. If I am taller, I would join the team.
  2. If I be taller, I would join the team.
  3. If I were taller, I would join the team. Correct answer.
  4. If I was taller, I would join the team.

Explanation

Hypothetical conditions that are contrary to fact take 'were' for all subjects in formal English. The clause 'If I were taller' signals an unreal situation. The main clause then uses 'would' to complete the conditional.

Question 28writing

Which sentence correctly uses quotation marks for a direct quotation?

  1. She said "that she would arrive at noon."
  2. She said, that "I will arrive at noon."
  3. She said, "I will arrive at noon." Correct answer.
  4. She said "I will arrive at noon".

Explanation

A direct quotation repeats the speaker's exact words and is introduced by a comma. The full stop belongs inside the closing quotation mark. Reported speech, by contrast, takes no quotation marks at all.

Question 29writing

Which word best completes the sentence: 'The instructions were so ___ that nobody could follow them'?

  1. simple
  2. brief
  3. vague Correct answer.
  4. clear

Explanation

The second half of the sentence states that nobody could follow the instructions, so the missing word must express confusion. 'Vague' means unclear or imprecise, which matches the outcome. The other choices describe clarity or shortness, which would make following them easier.

Question 30writing

Which sentence places the adverb in the most natural position?

  1. She is late always for meetings.
  2. She is always late for meetings. Correct answer.
  3. Always she is late for meetings.
  4. She always is late for meetings.

Explanation

Adverbs of frequency such as 'always' normally sit after the verb 'be' and before other main verbs. In 'She is always late', the adverb follows 'is', which is the standard position. Placing it elsewhere sounds awkward or changes emphasis unnaturally.

Question 31writing

Which sentence correctly uses 'its' or 'it's'?

  1. The team celebrated its victory. Correct answer.
  2. Its raining outside today.
  3. The dog wagged it's tail.
  4. It's colour faded in the sun.

Explanation

'Its' is the possessive form, while 'it's' is a contraction of 'it is' or 'it has'. In 'the team celebrated its victory', possession is required, so 'its' is correct. Substituting 'it is' into the other options shows why they fail.

Question 32writing

Which sentence punctuates the introductory phrase correctly?

  1. After, the long journey we finally arrived home.
  2. After the long journey, we finally arrived home. Correct answer.
  3. After the long journey we finally arrived, home.
  4. After the long journey; we finally arrived home.

Explanation

A comma should separate a long introductory phrase from the main clause that follows it. 'After the long journey' is such a phrase, so the comma belongs directly after it. The other options put the comma in the wrong place or use a semicolon incorrectly.

Question 33writing

Which sentence uses the correct subject-verb agreement?

  1. The list of items are on the desk.
  2. The list of items were on the desk.
  3. The list of items have been on the desk.
  4. The list of items was on the desk. Correct answer.

Explanation

The subject is 'the list', which is singular; 'of items' is a prepositional phrase that does not change the number of the subject. The singular verb 'was' therefore agrees with it. Plural verbs such as 'were' and 'are' wrongly agree with the object of the preposition.

Question 34writing

Which sentence uses the correct form to show possession?

  1. The teacher's lounge was repainted.
  2. The teachers lounge was repainted.
  3. The teachers's lounge was repainted.
  4. The teachers' lounge was repainted by the staff. Correct answer.

Explanation

When several teachers share one lounge, the plural noun ending in 's' takes only an apostrophe after the final 's'. 'Teachers'' therefore marks shared possession by more than one teacher. The singular possessive would suggest only one teacher owns the room.

Question 35writing

Which sentence uses the correct word to complete the pair: 'The advice was ___; I wish I had taken it'?

  1. sensibility
  2. sensible Correct answer.
  3. senseless
  4. sensibly

Explanation

The blank needs an adjective describing 'advice', and the regret in the second clause shows the advice was wise. 'Sensible' is the adjective meaning practical and wise. The other options are a negative adjective, a noun and an adverb, none of which fits.

Question 36writing

Which sentence correctly uses a comma with a non-defining relative clause?

  1. My brother, who lives in Perth, is a doctor. Correct answer.
  2. My brother who, lives in Perth is a doctor.
  3. My brother who lives in Perth is, a doctor.
  4. My brother who lives in Perth, is a doctor.

Explanation

A non-defining relative clause adds extra information about a person already identified, so it is enclosed in commas on both sides. 'Who lives in Perth' is extra detail about 'my brother'. Removing the clause should leave a complete sentence, which it does here.

Question 37writing

Which sentence uses an apostrophe correctly to show a contraction?

  1. We couldnt find the keys.
  2. We could'nt've found the keys.
  3. We couldn't find the keys. Correct answer.
  4. We could'nt find the keys.

Explanation

In a contraction the apostrophe marks the letters that have been removed. 'Couldn't' replaces the 'o' in 'not', so the apostrophe sits between 'n' and 't'. Placing it anywhere else misrepresents which letters were dropped.

Question 38writing

Which sentence correctly uses a modal verb to express strong obligation?

  1. You could finish your homework before dinner.
  2. You must finish your homework before dinner. Correct answer.
  3. You might finish your homework before dinner.
  4. You may finish your homework before dinner.

Explanation

'Must' expresses strong obligation or necessity imposed by the speaker. The other modals suggest possibility, ability or permission rather than firm requirement. Choosing the modal changes how binding the instruction sounds.

Question 39writing

Which sentence uses the correct preposition after the verb?

  1. She is good for solving difficult puzzles.
  2. She is good on solving difficult puzzles.
  3. She is good at solving difficult puzzles. Correct answer.
  4. She is good in solving difficult puzzles.

Explanation

The adjective 'good' is followed by the preposition 'at' when describing skill or ability. 'Good at solving' is the standard collocation in English. Other prepositions change the meaning or produce an unnatural phrase.

Question 40writing

Which sentence uses the correct article?

  1. She is university student.
  2. She is the university student.
  3. She is an university student.
  4. She is a university student. Correct answer.

Explanation

The choice between 'a' and 'an' depends on the sound that follows, not the letter. 'University' begins with a consonant sound /j/, so it takes 'a'. 'An' would be used before a vowel sound such as 'an hour'.

Question 41writing

Which sentence uses the correct form of the irregular verb?

  1. He has went to the library.
  2. He has gone to the library. Correct answer.
  3. He has goed to the library.
  4. He has going to the library.

Explanation

The present perfect is formed with 'has' plus the past participle. The past participle of 'go' is 'gone', not the simple past 'went'. 'Goed' is not a real form and 'going' would need a form of 'be'.

Question 42writing

Which sentence best combines the ideas using a subordinate clause?

  1. As the storm approached, the campers packed their tents. Correct answer.
  2. The storm approached. The campers packed their tents.
  3. The storm approached and the campers packed their tents quickly.
  4. The storm approached, the campers packed their tents.

Explanation

A subordinate clause begins with a conjunction such as 'as' and shows the relationship between the two events. 'As the storm approached' makes the timing and cause clear. The other options either leave two separate sentences or create a comma splice.

Question 43writing

Which sentence uses the correct word to complete the sentence: 'The teacher asked the students to ___ their essays by Friday'?

  1. submit Correct answer.
  2. submits
  3. submitting
  4. submitted

Explanation

After 'to', the base form of the verb is required to make the infinitive. 'Submit' is the base form, so 'to submit' is correct. The other forms are finite or participial and cannot follow 'to'.

Question 44writing

Which sentence correctly uses a hyphen in a compound modifier?

  1. She bought a well-known author's book. Correct answer.
  2. She bought a well known author's book.
  3. She bought a wellknown author's book.
  4. She bought a well known-author's book.

Explanation

A compound adjective placed before a noun is hyphenated to show that the words work as a single modifier. 'Well-known' describes 'author' as one unit. Without the hyphen, 'well' could be read as an adverb modifying the verb.

Question 45writing

Which sentence uses the correct tense sequence in reported speech?

  1. He said that he be tired.
  2. He said that he was tired. Correct answer.
  3. He said that he will be tired yesterday.
  4. He said that he is tired yesterday.

Explanation

When the reporting verb is in the past ('said'), the verb in the reported clause usually shifts back one tense. Present 'is tired' becomes 'was tired'. The other options mix incompatible time references or use a non-finite form.

Question 46writing

Which sentence uses the correct form of the conditional to describe an unreal past situation?

  1. If she would study, she had passed.
  2. If she had studied, she would have passed. Correct answer.
  3. If she had studied, she would pass.
  4. If she studied, she would have passed.

Explanation

The third conditional describes an unreal past situation using 'if' plus past perfect in the condition and 'would have' plus past participle in the result. Both halves must follow this pattern. Mixing a past-perfect condition with a simple conditional result breaks the sequence.

Question 47writing

Which sentence uses the correct form of the passive voice in the past perfect?

  1. The report had been written before the meeting. Correct answer.
  2. The report has been wrote before the meeting.
  3. The report had wrote before the meeting.
  4. The report was been written before the meeting.

Explanation

The past perfect passive is formed with 'had been' plus the past participle. 'Had been written' therefore describes an action completed before another past event. The other options use the wrong auxiliary or the wrong participle.

Question 48writing

Which sentence uses the correct punctuation for a title of a short work?

  1. I read the poem The Road Not Taken in class.
  2. I read the poem 'The Road Not Taken' in class.
  3. I read the poem (The Road Not Taken) in class.
  4. I read the poem "The Road Not Taken" in class. Correct answer.

Explanation

Titles of short works such as poems are enclosed in double quotation marks in running text. The title is part of a larger sentence, so it is not italicised or underlined. Brackets are reserved for editorial insertions, not titles.

Question 49writing

Which sentence uses the correct word to complete the sentence: 'The committee will ___ its decision tomorrow'?

  1. announce Correct answer.
  2. announcing
  3. announced
  4. announces

Explanation

After the modal 'will', the base form of the verb is used without any ending. 'Announce' is the base form, so 'will announce' is correct. Modal verbs never take an '-s', '-ing' or past form directly.

Question 50writing

Which sentence uses a semicolon correctly?

  1. The rain stopped; continuing the match.
  2. The rain stopped; because the match continued.
  3. The rain stopped; the match continued. Correct answer.
  4. The rain stopped; and the match continued.

Explanation

A semicolon joins two independent clauses that are closely related, and each side must be able to stand alone as a sentence. In the correct option, 'The rain stopped' and 'the match continued' are both complete clauses, so the semicolon links them properly without a conjunction.