I85PREP
⌘ K
SACE Stage 2 Dutch study materials
SACE Stage 2 Dutch study resources

SACE Stage 2 Dutch practice questions

One question at a time. Build your SACE Stage 2 Dutch understanding.

First 50 of 200 questions. Each one lists the choices, the correct answer, and an explanation. The checker at the top of this page saves progress in this browser when it is available.

Continue in the practice tool above to load more questions, 50 at a time.

Question 1School assessment

Which Dutch word is the correct definite article for the noun 'huis'?

  1. de
  2. den
  3. het Correct answer.
  4. een

Explanation

Dutch has two definite articles: 'de' for common-gender nouns and 'het' for neuter nouns. 'Huis' is a neuter noun, so it takes 'het'. Learners must memorise which nouns are neuter because there is no reliable rule.

Question 2School assessment

What is the correct plural form of 'kind' (child)?

  1. kinderen Correct answer.
  2. kinden
  3. kinds
  4. kinder

Explanation

'Kind' is a neuter noun that forms its plural with the suffix '-eren', giving 'kinderen'. This irregular pattern also appears in words like 'ei' (eieren) and 'blad' (bladeren). Most other nouns take '-en' or '-s'.

Question 3School assessment

Complete the sentence: 'Ik ___ elke ochtend om zeven uur op.' (I get up every morning at seven.)

  1. staan
  2. stond
  3. staat
  4. sta Correct answer.

Explanation

The subject 'ik' takes the first-person singular present form, which for 'staan' is 'sta'. The separable prefix 'op' stays at the end of the main clause. First-person singular never adds a '-t' ending.

Question 4School assessment

Which number word is written correctly in Dutch for 18?

  1. agtien
  2. achtien
  3. achttien Correct answer.
  4. achttienh

Explanation

Dutch compounds like 18 are written as one word: 'acht' plus 'tien' with a doubled 't' at the join. The spelling rule keeps both consonants so the short vowel sound of 'acht' stays clear. The correct spelling is 'achttien'.

Question 5School assessment

What is the correct word order in a Dutch main clause with time at the start?

  1. Morgen ga ik naar school. Correct answer.
  2. Morgen ik ga naar school.
  3. Ik morgen ga naar school.
  4. Morgen naar school ik ga.

Explanation

Dutch main clauses follow the verb-second rule: the finite verb must occupy the second position. When a time expression like 'morgen' comes first, the subject moves after the verb, giving inversion. So 'Morgen ga ik naar school' is correct.

Question 6School assessment

Which sentence uses the correct form of the past tense of 'lopen' (to walk)?

  1. Wij liepen gisteren naar het park. Correct answer.
  2. Wij gelopen gisteren naar het park.
  3. Wij loopten gisteren naar het park.
  4. Wij liep gisteren naar het park.

Explanation

'Lopen' is a strong verb whose past tense is 'liep' in the singular and 'liepen' in the plural. With the plural subject 'wij', the correct form is 'liepen'. Weak verbs add '-te/-ten', but strong verbs change their vowel.

Question 7School assessment

What is the correct comparative form in: 'Dit boek is ___ dan dat boek.' (This book is more interesting than that book.)

  1. interessanter Correct answer.
  2. interessantst
  3. meer interessant
  4. het meest interessant

Explanation

Dutch forms the comparative of most adjectives by adding '-er' to the base form. 'Interessant' becomes 'interessanter' before 'dan'. The word 'meer' is not used as a comparative marker in standard Dutch the way English uses 'more'.

Question 8School assessment

Which preposition correctly completes: 'Ik wacht ___ de bus.' (I am waiting for the bus.)

  1. op Correct answer.
  2. aan
  3. voor
  4. naar

Explanation

The Dutch verb 'wachten' is followed by the fixed preposition 'op'. This prepositional combination must be learned as a unit, because it differs from English 'wait for'. So the correct sentence is 'Ik wacht op de bus'.

Question 9School assessment

What is the correct possessive form: '___ fiets is gestolen.' (Their bike has been stolen.)

  1. Hun Correct answer.
  2. Hen
  3. Zij
  4. Hunne

Explanation

The possessive pronoun for 'their' is 'hun' when it stands before a noun. 'Zij' is a subject pronoun, and 'hen' is an object pronoun. 'Hun fiets' means 'their bike'.

Question 10School assessment

Which sentence correctly uses the separable verb 'opbellen' in the present tense?

  1. Ik opbel aan mijn moeder.
  2. Ik opbel mijn moeder.
  3. Ik bel mijn moeder op. Correct answer.
  4. Ik bel op mijn moeder.

Explanation

Separable verbs split in main clauses: the finite verb stays in second position and the prefix moves to the end. So 'opbellen' becomes 'bel ... op'. The prefix 'op' appears after the object at the clause end.

Question 11School assessment

Choose the correct form: 'Zij ___ gisteren naar Amsterdam geweest.' (They were in Amsterdam yesterday.)

  1. hebben
  2. heeft
  3. zijn Correct answer.
  4. is

Explanation

Verbs of movement and change of state, including 'zijn' (to be), take the auxiliary 'zijn' in the perfect tense. With the plural subject 'zij', the form is 'zijn'. So the sentence reads 'Zij zijn ... geweest'.

Question 12School assessment

Which word correctly completes: 'Ik heb geen geld, ___ ik kan niet betalen.' (I have no money, so I cannot pay.)

  1. maar
  2. want
  3. omdat
  4. dus Correct answer.

Explanation

'Dus' expresses a consequence or result, matching 'so' in the English sense. 'Want' gives a reason, 'maar' contrasts, and 'omdat' introduces a subordinate cause clause. Here the second clause is a logical result of the first.

Question 13School assessment

What is the diminutive form of 'kop' (cup)?

  1. kopke
  2. koppje
  3. kopte
  4. kopje Correct answer.

Explanation

Dutch diminutives are formed with '-je', '-tje', '-pje', or '-etje' depending on the ending sound. After a single final consonant with a short vowel, the pattern gives 'kopje'. The diminutive is always a neuter noun taking 'het'.

Question 14School assessment

Which sentence correctly uses 'er' in a presentative construction?

  1. Een man er staat voor de deur.
  2. Staat er een man voor de deur het.
  3. Er een man staat voor de deur.
  4. Er staat een man voor de deur. Correct answer.

Explanation

The word 'er' introduces the existence of something and occupies the first position, triggering inversion of the subject and verb. The correct order is 'Er staat een man ...'. This presentative 'er' is very common in Dutch.

Question 15School assessment

Choose the correct relative pronoun: 'De film ___ ik gisteren zag, was spannend.' (The film that I saw yesterday was exciting.)

  1. die Correct answer.
  2. wie
  3. wat
  4. dat

Explanation

Relative pronouns agree with the gender of the antecedent. 'Film' is a common-gender (de) noun referring to a thing, so the relative pronoun is 'die'. 'Dat' is used for neuter antecedents.

Question 16School assessment

Which sentence uses the correct word order after 'omdat'?

  1. Ik blijf thuis omdat ik ziek ben. Correct answer.
  2. Ik blijf thuis omdat ben ik ziek.
  3. Ik blijf thuis omdat ik ben ziek.
  4. Ik blijf thuis omdat ziek ik ben.

Explanation

'Omdat' is a subordinating conjunction, so the finite verb moves to the end of the subordinate clause. The correct order is 'omdat ik ziek ben', with the verb last. Main clauses keep verb-second order, but subordinate clauses do not.

Question 17School assessment

What is the correct translation of 'She has already eaten'?

  1. Zij is al gegeten.
  2. Zij heeft al gegeten gehad.
  3. Zij heeft al gegeten. Correct answer.
  4. Zij al heeft gegeten.

Explanation

'Eten' is a transitive verb that takes the auxiliary 'hebben' in the perfect tense. The past participle 'gegeten' goes to the end of the clause, and 'al' (already) sits before it. The result is 'Zij heeft al gegeten'.

Question 18School assessment

Which sentence uses the passive voice correctly?

  1. Het huis is door de buurman bouwen.
  2. Het huis bouwt door de buurman worden.
  3. Het huis wordt door de buurman gebouwd. Correct answer.
  4. Het huis wordt door de buurman bouwen.

Explanation

The passive is formed with 'worden' plus the past participle. In the present passive, 'wordt' is the finite verb and 'gebouwd' is the participle at the end. The agent is introduced with 'door'.

Question 19School assessment

Which sentence uses 'zou' correctly to express a hypothetical?

  1. Als ik rijk was, zou kopen ik een huis.
  2. Als ik rijk was, zou ik een huis kocht.
  3. Als ik rijk was, zou ik een huis kopen. Correct answer.
  4. Als ik rijk was, ik zou een huis kopen.

Explanation

'Zou' is the conditional auxiliary and is followed by the infinitive at the end of the clause. In the main clause after 'als', the verb 'zou' comes second, giving 'zou ik ... kopen'. This forms a standard hypothetical conditional.

Question 20School assessment

Which sentence correctly uses the past participle in a perfect-tense subordinate clause?

  1. Hij zegt dat hij het boek heeft gelezen.
  2. Hij zegt dat hij heeft het boek gelezen.
  3. Hij zegt dat hij het boek heeft leest.
  4. Hij zegt dat hij het boek gelezen heeft. Correct answer.

Explanation

In a subordinate clause, all verbs cluster at the end, with the auxiliary before the past participle. The correct order is '... dat hij het boek gelezen heeft'. This double-verb-final pattern is typical of Dutch subordinate clauses.

Question 21School assessment

Which pronoun replaces 'het boek' in: 'Ik geef het boek aan mijn broer'?

  1. Ik geef hun aan mijn broer.
  2. Ik geef haar aan mijn broer.
  3. Ik geef hem aan mijn broer.
  4. Ik geef het aan mijn broer. Correct answer.

Explanation

Neuter singular nouns are replaced by the object pronoun 'het'. 'Boek' is a neuter noun, so 'het boek' becomes 'het'. 'Hem' and 'haar' refer to de-words or persons, and 'hun' is plural.

Question 22School assessment

Which sentence uses the correct form of the adverb 'graag' in the comparative?

  1. Ik lees graag, maar zij leest graagst.
  2. Ik lees graag, maar zij leest grager.
  3. Ik lees graag, maar zij leest meer graag.
  4. Ik lees graag, maar zij leest liever. Correct answer.

Explanation

The adverb 'graag' has an irregular comparative 'liever' and superlative 'het liefst'. It does not follow the regular '-er' pattern. So the comparative sentence uses 'liever'.

Question 23School assessment

Which sentence correctly uses 'te' plus infinitive?

  1. Het is moeilijk te om Nederlands leren.
  2. Het is moeilijk om te Nederlands leren.
  3. Het is moeilijk om Nederlands te leren. Correct answer.
  4. Het is moeilijk om Nederlands leren te.

Explanation

The construction 'om ... te' plus infinitive expresses purpose or a complement to an adjective. 'Te' comes directly before the infinitive at the end. So 'om Nederlands te leren' is the correct order.

Question 24School assessment

What is the correct meaning of the idiom 'de kat uit de boom kijken'?

  1. To be very angry
  2. To wait and see before acting Correct answer.
  3. To climb a tree quickly
  4. To let the cat out

Explanation

The Dutch idiom 'de kat uit de boom kijken' literally means 'to look the cat out of the tree'. It is used figuratively to describe someone who waits to see how things develop before acting. Idioms must be learned as fixed expressions.

Question 25School assessment

Which greeting is appropriate in a formal Dutch letter to an unknown recipient?

  1. Hoi allemaal,
  2. Hé jij,
  3. Geachte heer, mevrouw, Correct answer.
  4. Doei,

Explanation

Formal Dutch letters open with 'Geachte heer, mevrouw,' when the recipient's name is unknown. This is the standard polite salutation. Informal greetings like 'Hoi' are reserved for familiar contexts.

Question 26School assessment

Which sentence places the infinitive correctly in a Dutch main clause with a modal verb?

  1. Ik wil naar de markt morgen gaan.
  2. Ik wil gaan morgen naar de markt.
  3. Ik wil morgen naar de markt gaan. Correct answer.
  4. Ik wil morgen gaan naar de markt.

Explanation

In a main clause the finite verb stands in second position and the other verbs are grouped at the end of the sentence. Time and place adverbials therefore come between the finite modal and the final infinitive. Only the version with 'wil' second and 'gaan' last follows this rule.

Question 27School assessment

Which form correctly completes: 'Als ik rijk ___, zou ik een huis in Italië kopen.'?

  1. was
  2. zou zijn
  3. ben
  4. ware Correct answer.

Explanation

Hypothetical conditions that are contrary to present reality take the past subjunctive form 'ware' in careful Dutch, alongside 'zou' in the main clause. The combination 'als ik rijk ware ... zou ik kopen' marks an unreal situation. The plain past tense 'was' is common in speech but is not the form tested as standard here.

Question 28School assessment

Which word is the correct plural of 'het schip' (the ship)?

  1. schippen
  2. schips
  3. schepen Correct answer.
  4. scheeps

Explanation

'Schip' belongs to the group of short-vowel nouns that change the vowel in the plural, giving 'schepen'. The pattern also appears in pairs such as 'stad – steden' and 'lid – leden'. The other forms do not exist as the standard plural of this noun.

Question 29School assessment

Which sentence uses the correct auxiliary for the perfect tense of 'beginnen'?

  1. De film heeft om acht uur begonnen.
  2. De film heeft om acht uur begint.
  3. De film is om acht uur gebegonnen.
  4. De film is om acht uur begonnen. Correct answer.

Explanation

Verbs that describe a change of state or movement, such as 'beginnen', form the perfect tense with 'zijn' rather than 'hebben'. The participle of 'beginnen' is 'begonnen', with the prefix 'ge-' and no extra ending. So the correct sentence is 'De film is om acht uur begonnen'.

Question 30School assessment

What does the expression 'nu komt de aap uit de mouw' mean?

  1. De waarheid komt eindelijk aan het licht. Correct answer.
  2. Het feest begint nu echt.
  3. Iemand maakt een domme fout.
  4. Iemand doet iets stiekem achter zijn hand.

Explanation

This idiom literally refers to a monkey emerging from a sleeve, as a street performer's trick is revealed. Figuratively it means that a hidden intention or truth finally becomes visible. It is used when someone's real plan or the real situation is disclosed.

Question 31School assessment

Which sentence uses the correct comparative form of the adjective 'duur' (expensive)?

  1. Deze auto is duurder dan die van mij. Correct answer.
  2. Deze auto is duurder als die van mij.
  3. Deze auto is het duurst dan die van mij.
  4. Deze auto is meer duur dan die van mij.

Explanation

Dutch forms the comparative of most short adjectives with the suffix '-er' plus 'dan' for the comparison. 'Duur' therefore becomes 'duurder dan'. The word 'meer' is not used to build comparatives, and the superlative does not fit a two-item comparison.

Question 32School assessment

Which sentence uses the correct order in a subordinate clause introduced by 'hoewel'?

  1. Hoewel het regende, gingen wij toch wandelen. Correct answer.
  2. Hoewel regende het, wij gingen toch wandelen.
  3. Hoewel het regende, wij gingen toch wandelen.
  4. Hoewel het regende, wij toch gingen wandelen.

Explanation

The subordinate clause with 'hoewel' sends its finite verb to the end, giving 'het regende'. The main clause that follows keeps normal order with the finite verb in second position, so inversion occurs after the comma: 'gingen wij'. The combination of both rules produces the correct sentence.

Question 33School assessment

Which sentence uses 'er' correctly as a quantitative pronoun referring to a previously mentioned amount?

  1. Ik heb drie er van.
  2. Ik heb van er drie.
  3. Er ik heb drie van.
  4. Ik heb er drie van. Correct answer.

Explanation

When 'er' replaces a quantity plus a prepositional phrase, it comes directly after the finite verb and before the numeral: 'ik heb er drie van'. This pattern answers questions such as 'Hoeveel boeken heb je?'. The placement follows the rule that unstressed 'er' clings to the verb.

Question 34School assessment

Which sentence uses the correct diminutive of 'de brief' (the letter)?

  1. briefske
  2. briefke
  3. briefte
  4. briefje Correct answer.

Explanation

Nouns ending in a consonant normally take the diminutive suffix '-je', so 'brief' becomes 'briefje'. The other endings occur only after specific sounds, such as '-tje' after certain consonants and '-pje' after m. The form 'briefje' also follows the usual spelling rule of keeping the vowel short.

Question 35School assessment

Which pronoun correctly replaces the underlined phrase in 'Ik help mijn zus elke dag'?

  1. Ik help hem elke dag.
  2. Ik help zij elke dag.
  3. Ik help haar elke dag. Correct answer.
  4. Ik help hun elke dag.

Explanation

'Mijn zus' is a feminine singular noun, so the object pronoun is 'haar'. Object pronouns stand after the finite verb in a simple main clause. The subject form 'zij' and the plural 'hun' cannot serve as a singular direct object here.

Question 36School assessment

Which sentence correctly uses the separable verb 'meenemen' (to take along) in the perfect tense?

  1. Ik heb mijn paraplu mee genomen.
  2. Ik heb mijn paraplu meegenomen. Correct answer.
  3. Ik heb mijn paraplu meegenomen gehad.
  4. Ik heb mijn paraplu genomen mee.

Explanation

In the perfect tense a separable verb keeps its prefix attached to the participle, giving 'meegenomen' as one word. The prefix 'mee-' stays glued to the participle rather than standing apart. This distinguishes the perfect tense from the present tense, where the prefix separates.

Question 37School assessment

Which sentence uses the correct form of the modal particle 'maar' to soften a suggestion?

  1. Kom binnen, het is maar koud buiten.
  2. Maar kom binnen, het is koud buiten.
  3. Kom binnen maar, het is koud buiten.
  4. Kom maar binnen, het is koud buiten. Correct answer.

Explanation

The particle 'maar' in the sense of a friendly invitation sits directly after the imperative and before the rest of the clause. It softens the command and sounds reassuring. Moving it to the start or end changes the meaning or makes the sentence ungrammatical.

Question 38School assessment

Which sentence uses the correct preposition with 'trots' (proud)?

  1. Zij is trots met haar dochter.
  2. Zij is trots van haar dochter.
  3. Zij is trots op haar dochter. Correct answer.
  4. Zij is trots voor haar dochter.

Explanation

The adjective 'trots' is followed by the fixed preposition 'op', just as 'blij' takes 'met' and 'bang' takes 'voor'. These combinations must be learned as units. Only 'trots op' is standard in Dutch.

Question 39School assessment

Which sentence uses the correct form of the indefinite article and adjective in '___ mooi ___ huis'?

  1. een mooi huis Correct answer.
  2. een moois huis
  3. een mooie huizen
  4. een mooie huis

Explanation

After the indefinite article 'een', a singular neuter noun takes the adjective without the ending '-e', so we write 'een mooi huis'. The ending '-e' appears with 'de'-words and with definite articles. The noun also stays singular here.

Question 40School assessment

Which sentence correctly uses 'om ... te' with an infinitive?

  1. Ik ga naar de winkel om brood te kopen. Correct answer.
  2. Ik ga naar de winkel voor brood te kopen.
  3. Ik ga naar de winkel om brood kopen te.
  4. Ik ga naar de winkel om te brood kopen.

Explanation

The purpose construction is 'om' plus the object plus 'te' plus the infinitive, giving 'om brood te kopen'. The infinitive stands at the end of the clause. 'Om' cannot be replaced by 'voor' in this structure.

Question 41School assessment

Which sentence uses the correct form of the verb in a passive construction with 'worden'?

  1. De brief wordt door de directeur ondertekend geworden.
  2. De brief wordt door de directeur ondertekend. Correct answer.
  3. De brief worden door de directeur ondertekend.
  4. De brief is door de directeur ondertekend geworden.

Explanation

The present passive is formed with 'worden' plus the past participle: 'wordt ... ondertekend'. The auxiliary agrees with the singular subject 'de brief'. 'Zijn' plus participle describes a resulting state rather than an action in progress.

Question 42School assessment

Which sentence uses the correct form of 'zich vergissen' (to be mistaken)?

  1. Ik me vergis in het adres.
  2. Ik vergis in het adres.
  3. Ik vergis me in het adres. Correct answer.
  4. Ik vergis mij in het adres.

Explanation

Reflexive verbs take a reflexive pronoun that agrees with the subject; for the first person singular the unstressed form 'me' is usual. The pronoun follows the finite verb. Omitting the pronoun or placing it before the verb makes the sentence incorrect.

Question 43School assessment

Which word correctly completes: 'Hij is ___ dan zijn broer.' (He is taller than his brother.)

  1. meer groot
  2. grootst
  3. groter Correct answer.
  4. groot

Explanation

A comparison between two people requires the comparative form of the adjective, which for 'groot' is 'groter'. The comparative is followed by 'dan'. The positive form and the superlative do not express this two-item comparison.

Question 44School assessment

Which sentence uses the correct word for 'because' in a formal written context?

  1. De les gaat niet door, want de leraar is ziek.
  2. De les gaat niet door, daarom de leraar is ziek.
  3. De les gaat niet door, doordat de leraar ziek is.
  4. De les gaat niet door, omdat de leraar ziek is. Correct answer.

Explanation

'Omdat' introduces a subordinate clause and sends the finite verb to the end, giving 'omdat de leraar ziek is'. 'Want' is a coordinating conjunction and keeps normal order, so it cannot be followed by verb-final order. 'Doordat' implies a direct cause and is less suitable for a person's illness as the reason.

Question 45School assessment

Which sentence correctly uses the future with 'zullen'?

  1. Wij zullen morgen vroeg te vertrekken.
  2. Wij zullen morgen vroeg vertrek.
  3. Wij zullen morgen vroeg vertrokken.
  4. Wij zullen morgen vroeg vertrekken. Correct answer.

Explanation

The future tense is formed with 'zullen' as the finite verb and the bare infinitive at the end of the clause. The infinitive 'vertrekken' has no ending and no 'te'. The auxiliary agrees with the plural subject 'wij'.

Question 46School assessment

Which sentence uses the correct form of the ordinal number in 'Zij woont op de ___ verdieping' (third floor)?

  1. drie
  2. derde Correct answer.
  3. driede
  4. derden

Explanation

Ordinal numbers up to nineteen are formed with '-de' or '-ste', and 'drie' becomes 'derde' with a vowel change. The ordinal behaves like an inflected adjective before a noun, so it takes '-e' after 'de'. The cardinal 'drie' cannot fill this slot.

Question 47School assessment

Which sentence places the negation 'niet' correctly?

  1. Ik heb niet dat boek gelezen.
  2. Ik heb dat boek gelezen niet.
  3. Niet ik heb dat boek gelezen.
  4. Ik heb dat boek niet gelezen. Correct answer.

Explanation

'Niet' normally negates the predicate and stands after the object and before the final past participle. Placing it earlier can negate only the object, and placing it at the very end is impossible in Dutch. The correct position is 'dat boek niet gelezen'.

Question 48School assessment

Which sentence uses the correct form of the verb 'hebben' in the first person singular of the present tense?

  1. Ik heb een nieuwe fiets. Correct answer.
  2. Ik heb een nieuw fiets.
  3. Ik hebben een nieuwe fiets.
  4. Ik hebt een nieuwe fiets.

Explanation

The first person singular of 'hebben' in the present tense is 'heb', without a final '-t'. The plural form 'hebben' belongs to 'wij' or 'jullie'. The noun 'fiets' is a 'de'-word, so the adjective must take '-e'.

Question 49School assessment

Which sentence uses the correct form of the relative pronoun for a 'het'-word with a preposition?

  1. Het huis in wie wij wonen, is oud.
  2. Het huis in dat wij wonen, is oud.
  3. Het huis waarin wij wonen, is oud. Correct answer.
  4. Het huis waar wij wonen in, is oud.

Explanation

For a 'het'-word, a preposition plus relative pronoun is expressed with 'waar' plus the preposition as one word: 'waarin'. The preposition is attached to 'waar' rather than left separate. The person pronoun 'wie' is used only for people.

Question 50School assessment

Which sentence uses the correct form of the verb after 'jullie' in the present tense?

  1. Jullie werk hard vandaag.
  2. Jullie werken hard vandaag. Correct answer.
  3. Jullie werkt hard vandaag.
  4. Jullie gewerkt hard vandaag.

Explanation

The second person plural subject 'jullie' takes the plural form of the verb, which for 'werken' is 'werken'. The singular 'werkt' belongs to 'je' or 'u' when addressing one person. The bare stem and the participle are both impossible as finite forms here.