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NAPLAN Reading practice questions

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Question 1writing

Which sentence uses correct subject-verb agreement?

  1. The bunch of ripe bananas were left on the counter.
  2. The bunch of ripe bananas was left on the counter. Correct answer.
  3. The bunch of ripe bananas have been left on the counter.
  4. The bunch of ripe bananas were being left on the counter.

Explanation

The subject is 'bunch', a singular collective noun, so it takes the singular verb 'was'. The phrase 'of ripe bananas' is a prepositional modifier and does not change the number of the subject. Writers must locate the true head noun before choosing the verb form.

Question 2writing

Which sentence is punctuated correctly?

  1. Before the storm, arrived we secured the windows.
  2. Before the storm arrived, we secured the windows. Correct answer.
  3. Before, the storm arrived we secured the windows.
  4. Before the storm arrived we secured the windows.

Explanation

An introductory dependent clause is separated from the main clause by a comma. The comma belongs after 'arrived', where the subordinate clause ends. Placing it elsewhere splits a grammatical unit incorrectly.

Question 3writing

Which word correctly completes the sentence: 'The teacher asked the students to speak ___ during the test.'?

  1. quietness
  2. quiet
  3. quietly Correct answer.
  4. quieter

Explanation

The verb 'speak' needs an adverb to describe how the action is performed, and 'quietly' is the adverb form. Adjectives such as 'quiet' modify nouns, not verbs. The suffix '-ly' typically marks the adverbial form.

Question 4writing

Which sentence contains a correctly used apostrophe?

  1. The dog's bowl was empty by noon. Correct answer.
  2. The dogs bowl was empty by noon.
  3. The dogs' bowl was empty by noon and it is one dog.
  4. The dog's bowl were empty by noon.

Explanation

A singular possessive noun takes an apostrophe before the 's', giving 'dog's'. This marks that the bowl belongs to one dog. Omitting the apostrophe or misplacing it changes or obscures the possessive meaning.

Question 5writing

Which sentence uses the correct form of the homophone?

  1. They're going to the library after lunch. Correct answer.
  2. Their going to the library after lunch.
  3. Theyre going to the library after lunch.
  4. There going to the library after lunch.

Explanation

'They're' is the contraction of 'they are', which supplies the verb the sentence needs. 'Their' is possessive and 'there' indicates place. Choosing the right homophone depends on the grammatical role required.

Question 6writing

Which sentence is a complete sentence rather than a fragment?

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

Explanation

A complete sentence needs a subject and a finite verb that together express a complete thought. 'The students waited at the gate' supplies both. The other options are subordinate or participial fragments.

Question 7writing

Which word is a conjunction in the sentence 'We stayed inside because the rain was heavy'?

  1. heavy
  2. inside
  3. because Correct answer.
  4. stayed

Explanation

A conjunction joins words, phrases or clauses, and 'because' links the main clause to a reason clause. Recognising conjunctions helps writers combine ideas and control sentence complexity. The other words are a verb, an adverb and an adjective.

Question 8writing

Which sentence best uses a semicolon?

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

Explanation

A semicolon can join two closely related independent clauses without a conjunction. 'I packed a raincoat' and 'the forecast was poor' are both complete clauses, so the semicolon is appropriate. It should not separate a clause from a fragment.

Question 9writing

Choose the sentence with the most appropriate formal register for a school newsletter.

  1. The canteen is like totally getting new snacks next term.
  2. The canteen's gonna have new snacks soon, which is pretty cool.
  3. The canteen will introduce new snacks next term, and students are encouraged to offer feedback. Correct answer.
  4. New snacks are coming, so yeah, get keen everyone!

Explanation

Formal school communication uses complete sentences, standard vocabulary and a measured tone. The chosen option avoids slang and contractions while giving clear information. Register should match the audience and purpose of the text.

Question 10writing

Which revision best removes the repetition in 'The final outcome at the end was a surprise that nobody expected'?

  1. The final outcome at the end was a surprise.
  2. The end result was a surprise nobody expected. Correct answer.
  3. The outcome was an unexpected surprise.
  4. The final result at the end was quite surprising.

Explanation

'Final outcome' and 'at the end' repeat the same idea, and 'a surprise that nobody expected' is redundant. The revision keeps meaning while cutting overlap by using 'end result' and 'nobody expected'. Concise writing removes words that add no new information.

Question 11writing

Which sentence uses the correct pronoun case?

  1. The award was given to my friend and myself.
  2. The award was given to my friend and I.
  3. The award was given to my friend and mine.
  4. The award was given to my friend and me. Correct answer.

Explanation

After a preposition such as 'to', the objective case is required, so 'me' is correct. 'I' is a subject pronoun and cannot follow a preposition. Testing the pronoun alone ('given to me') confirms the choice.

Question 12writing

Which sentence maintains consistent tense?

  1. She opens the letter and read it quickly.
  2. She opens the letter and was reading it quickly.
  3. She opened the letter and read it quickly. Correct answer.
  4. She opened the letter and reads it quickly.

Explanation

Both verbs in a coordinated pair should share the same tense unless the meaning requires a shift. 'Opened' and 'read' are both simple past, so the sequence is consistent. Mixing present and past forms without reason confuses the timeline.

Question 13writing

Which sentence uses a colon correctly?

  1. She bought three: items, bread, milk and eggs.
  2. She bought: three items bread, milk and eggs.
  3. She bought three items, bread, milk and eggs:
  4. She bought three items: bread, milk and eggs. Correct answer.

Explanation

A colon introduces a list after a complete clause. 'She bought three items' is a full clause, so the colon correctly signals the items that follow. A colon should not interrupt a verb and its object.

Question 14writing

Which sentence uses the active voice most effectively?

  1. The winning goal was scored by Mia in the final minute.
  2. The final minute was when the goal was scored by Mia.
  3. Mia scored the winning goal in the final minute. Correct answer.
  4. The goal was scored in the final minute by Mia for the win.

Explanation

Active voice places the doer first and uses a direct verb, producing clearer and more energetic prose. 'Mia scored the winning goal' names the actor immediately. Passive constructions delay or obscure who performed the action.

Question 15writing

Which sentence uses a comma correctly with a non-restrictive clause?

  1. My brother, who lives in Perth is visiting next week.
  2. My brother who lives in Perth, is visiting next week.
  3. My brother, who lives in Perth, is visiting next week. Correct answer.
  4. My brother who, lives in Perth, is visiting next week.

Explanation

A non-restrictive relative clause adds extra information and is enclosed by commas at both ends. 'Who lives in Perth' is additional detail about a brother already identified. Both commas are needed to mark the clause boundaries.

Question 16writing

Which word correctly completes 'Neither the coach nor the players ___ satisfied with the result'?

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

Explanation

With 'neither...nor', the verb agrees with the nearer subject, which is the plural 'players'. The plural verb 'were' is therefore required. This proximity rule differs from the simple collective-noun rule.

Question 17writing

Which sentence uses 'its' correctly?

  1. The team celebrated its victory, didn't it's?
  2. The team celebrated it's victory.
  3. The team celebrated its' victory.
  4. The team celebrated its victory. Correct answer.

Explanation

'Its' is the possessive form of 'it', while 'it's' is the contraction of 'it is' or 'it has'. The sentence needs a possessive before 'victory', so no apostrophe is used. This is a common source of confusion in editing.

Question 18writing

Which sentence best avoids a dangling modifier?

  1. Walking through the park, the flowers looked beautiful.
  2. Walking through the park, the flowers were admired.
  3. Walking through the park, we admired the beautiful flowers. Correct answer.
  4. Walking through the park, beauty was seen in the flowers.

Explanation

A participial phrase must attach to the subject that performs the action. In the chosen sentence, 'we' are the ones walking and admiring. Other versions wrongly suggest the flowers or 'beauty' were walking.

Question 19writing

Which sentence uses parallel structure correctly in a list?

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

Explanation

Items in a list should share the same grammatical form. The chosen sentence uses three abstract nouns: 'patience', 'accuracy' and 'reliability'. Mixing nouns, infinitives and adjectives breaks parallelism.

Question 20writing

Read this sentence: 'The old lighthouse, battered by decades of salt wind, still guided ships safely home.' Which technique is used in the phrase 'battered by decades of salt wind'?

  1. A simile comparing the lighthouse to a ship
  2. A participial phrase adding descriptive detail Correct answer.
  3. An imperative clause issuing a command
  4. A direct quotation giving the lighthouse's words

Explanation

The phrase begins with the past participle 'battered' and modifies 'the old lighthouse', making it a participial phrase. It adds vivid detail without forming a complete clause. Identifying such phrases helps writers vary sentence rhythm.

Question 21writing

A student writes: 'The experiment failed. It was because the equipment was old. The results were unclear. They were disappointing.' Which revision best improves cohesion?

  1. The experiment failed. The equipment was old. The results were unclear. They disappointed.
  2. The experiment failed. It was because the equipment was old. The results were unclear. They were disappointing.
  3. The experiment failed, it was because of old equipment, results unclear and disappointing.
  4. The experiment failed because the equipment was old, and the results were unclear and disappointing. Correct answer.

Explanation

Cohesion improves when related ideas are combined with clear connectives such as 'because' and 'and'. The chosen revision links cause and effect and merges the related comments on results. Short choppy sentences and comma splices reduce flow and clarity.

Question 22writing

Which sentence uses a conditional structure that correctly expresses an unreal past situation?

  1. If I would have known, I would have called.
  2. If I had known, I would have called. Correct answer.
  3. If I have known, I would call.
  4. If I knew, I would have called.

Explanation

Unreal past conditions use the past perfect in the 'if' clause and 'would have' plus a past participle in the main clause. 'If I had known, I would have called' follows this pattern. Using 'would have' in the condition itself is a common error.

Question 23writing

Which sentence uses a dash most effectively?

  1. The results - were clear everyone agreed and the report was finalised.
  2. The results were clear everyone - agreed and the report was finalised.
  3. The results were clear - everyone agreed - and the report was finalised. Correct answer.
  4. The results were - clear everyone agreed and the report was finalised.

Explanation

A pair of dashes can enclose a parenthetical comment that interrupts the main clause. Here 'everyone agreed' sits between the dashes and can be removed without breaking the sentence. Dashes must come in pairs when they bracket an insertion.

Question 24writing

Which sentence best demonstrates a controlled shift from a complex to a simple sentence for emphasis?

  1. Although the committee debated for hours and considered many proposals and raised numerous concerns, it reached no decision, and the meeting ended without a result.
  2. Although the committee had debated for hours and considered many proposals, it reached no decision; the meeting ended. Correct answer.
  3. Although the committee had debated for hours, considering many proposals, and although members had raised numerous concerns, no decision was reached.
  4. The committee debated for hours, considered many proposals, raised numerous concerns, and, after all of that, reached no decision, so the meeting ended.

Explanation

Skilled writers vary sentence length so that a short, plain statement lands with emphasis after a longer one. The chosen option follows a complex opening with the brief clause 'the meeting ended'. The other options pile on clauses and lose the intended impact.

Question 25writing

Which sentence correctly uses an apostrophe to show possession?

  1. The dog's collar was left by the front door. Correct answer.
  2. The dogs collar was left by the front door.
  3. The dog's are barking loudly in the yard.
  4. The dogs' collar was left by the front door alone.

Explanation

A singular noun takes an apostrophe before the s to show ownership, so 'dog's collar' means the collar belonging to one dog. The other forms either omit the apostrophe or misplace it.

Question 26writing

Which word is an adverb in the sentence 'The team worked quickly before the deadline'?

  1. worked
  2. deadline
  3. quickly Correct answer.
  4. team

Explanation

An adverb modifies a verb, adjective or other adverb, and 'quickly' tells how the team worked. The other words are a noun, a verb and a noun respectively.

Question 27writing

Which sentence uses the article 'an' correctly?

  1. They waited an hour for the bus to arrive. Correct answer.
  2. He carried an heavy box up the stairs.
  3. We saw an large bird near the river.
  4. She ate an banana before the race.

Explanation

'An' is used before a vowel sound, and 'hour' begins with a silent h so it starts with a vowel sound. Words beginning with a consonant sound such as 'banana', 'heavy' and 'large' take 'a'.

Question 28writing

Which sentence uses the correct plural form?

  1. Three childrens played in the garden.
  2. Three child played in the garden.
  3. Three children played in the garden. Correct answer.
  4. Three childs played in the garden.

Explanation

'Child' has an irregular plural, 'children', which already means more than one. Adding an s to it or leaving the noun singular after a number is incorrect.

Question 29writing

Which sentence uses a question mark correctly?

  1. She asked whether the library was open?
  2. Is the library open on Saturday? Correct answer.
  3. What time the library opens?
  4. The library opens at nine?

Explanation

A question mark ends a direct question, and 'Is the library open on Saturday?' is a direct question with inverted word order. Indirect questions and statements take a full stop.

Question 30writing

Which sentence uses the word 'their' correctly?

  1. The students packed they're bags before the trip.
  2. The students packed there bags before the trip.
  3. The students packed theirs bag before the trip.
  4. The students packed their bags before the trip. Correct answer.

Explanation

'Their' is the possessive form meaning belonging to them, which fits 'their bags'. 'They're' means 'they are', 'there' refers to a place, and 'theirs' is a standalone pronoun.

Question 31writing

Which sentence uses a comma correctly to separate an introductory phrase?

  1. After the storm passed, we checked the roof for damage. Correct answer.
  2. After the storm, passed we checked the roof for damage.
  3. After the storm passed we checked, the roof for damage.
  4. After, the storm passed we checked the roof for damage.

Explanation

An introductory phrase is followed by a comma before the main clause begins. The comma should sit at the boundary between the opening phrase and the subject of the main clause.

Question 32writing

Which sentence uses the correct word to compare two things?

  1. This path is more steeper than the other one.
  2. This path is steepest than the other one.
  3. This path is steeper than the other one. Correct answer.
  4. This path is most steep than the other one.

Explanation

When comparing exactly two things, the comparative form 'steeper' is used, usually followed by 'than'. The superlative forms are reserved for comparisons of three or more.

Question 33writing

Which sentence uses 'who' correctly?

  1. The runner who won the race waved to the crowd. Correct answer.
  2. The runner whom won the race waved to the crowd.
  3. The runner which won the race waved to the crowd.
  4. The runner whose won the race waved to the crowd.

Explanation

'Who' is the subject pronoun used for a person performing the action, and here the runner is the one who won. 'Whom' is an object form, 'which' refers to things, and 'whose' shows possession.

Question 34writing

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

  1. You could submit the form before Friday.
  2. You might submit the form before Friday.
  3. You may submit the form before Friday.
  4. You must submit the form before Friday. Correct answer.

Explanation

'Must' expresses strong obligation or necessity, which matches a firm deadline requirement. The other modals suggest possibility, ability or permission rather than compulsion.

Question 35writing

Which sentence uses an ellipsis most appropriately?

  1. She opened the box... and found a letter.
  2. The results were clear... and final.
  3. I wonder if she will arrive on time...
  4. He hesitated, then said, 'I think... I might be wrong.' Correct answer.

Explanation

An ellipsis can show a pause or trailing off in dialogue, which is exactly what happens when a speaker hesitates. It should not replace ordinary punctuation in statements.

Question 36writing

Which sentence correctly uses a hyphen in a compound adjective?

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

Explanation

A compound adjective placed before a noun is joined with a hyphen, as in 'well-known author'. Without the hyphen the words read as separate ideas, and the unhyphenated single word is not standard.

Question 37writing

Which sentence uses the correct form to show a completed action before another past action?

  1. By the time we arrived, the film was already start.
  2. By the time we arrived, the film already started.
  3. By the time we arrived, the film has already started.
  4. By the time we arrived, the film had already started. Correct answer.

Explanation

The past perfect 'had started' shows an action completed before another past event, which is our arrival. The simple past alone does not clearly mark the earlier action.

Question 38writing

Which sentence uses quotation marks correctly?

  1. My teacher said "read the chapter tonight."
  2. My teacher said, "Read the chapter tonight." Correct answer.
  3. My teacher said "Read the chapter tonight".
  4. My teacher said, "read the chapter tonight".

Explanation

A comma introduces the quoted speech, the quotation begins with a capital letter, and the full stop sits inside the closing quotation mark. All three conventions must be followed together.

Question 39writing

Which word correctly completes 'The number of students in the hall ___ increasing each year'?

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

Explanation

The subject is 'the number', which is singular, so it takes the singular verb 'is'. The phrase 'of students' is a prepositional modifier and does not change the subject's number.

Question 40writing

Which sentence uses 'fewer' correctly?

  1. There were less visitors this year than last year.
  2. There were fewer visitors this year then last year.
  3. There were fewer visitors this year than last year. Correct answer.
  4. There were lesser visitors this year than last year.

Explanation

'Fewer' is used with countable nouns such as visitors, while 'less' is used with uncountable quantities. The comparison word 'than' is also required here.

Question 41writing

Which sentence uses a relative clause without a redundant pronoun?

  1. The book that I borrowed from the library was overdue. Correct answer.
  2. The book it that I borrowed from the library was overdue.
  3. The book that I borrowed from it the library was overdue.
  4. The book that I borrowed it from the library was overdue.

Explanation

In a relative clause the relative pronoun 'that' already acts as the object of 'borrowed', so adding 'it' repeats the object. Removing the extra pronoun produces a clean, grammatical clause.

Question 42writing

Which sentence uses the subjunctive form correctly?

  1. The coach insisted that the player trains every morning.
  2. The coach insisted that the player train every morning. Correct answer.
  3. The coach insisted that the player training every morning.
  4. The coach insisted that the player is train every morning.

Explanation

After verbs of insistence such as 'insisted that', formal English uses the base form 'train' regardless of the subject. The ordinary present tense 'trains' is less standard in this construction.

Question 43writing

Read this sentence: 'Having finished the report, the printer jammed and the manager sighed.' What is the main problem with the sentence?

  1. The opening participle phrase is attached to the wrong subject, creating a dangling modifier. Correct answer.
  2. The word 'sighed' is an intransitive verb used incorrectly.
  3. The sentence switches from past to present tense in the second clause.
  4. The comma after 'report' should be a semicolon.

Explanation

The participial phrase 'Having finished the report' should describe the person who finished it, but the nearest subject is 'the printer'. This mismatch is a dangling modifier and makes the sentence illogical.

Question 44writing

Which sentence uses a colon to introduce a list correctly?

  1. The kit contained rope, a torch and a map: for the hike.
  2. The kit contained rope, a torch and a map: essentials for the hike. Correct answer.
  3. The kit contained rope: a torch and a map.
  4. The kit contained: rope, a torch and a map.

Explanation

A colon may follow a complete clause and introduce an explanation or expansion, which 'essentials for the hike' provides. It should not separate a verb from its object.

Question 45writing

Which sentence uses an apostrophe correctly for a plural possessive?

  1. The two teams's captains met before the match.
  2. The two teams captains met before the match.
  3. The two team's captains met before the match.
  4. The two teams' captains met before the match. Correct answer.

Explanation

For a plural noun ending in s, the possessive is formed by placing the apostrophe after the s, giving 'teams''. The singular possessive or an added 's would misrepresent the number of teams.

Question 46writing

Which sentence uses a conditional perfect form to express an unreal past situation?

  1. If she studied harder, she would pass the test.
  2. If she had studied harder, she would have passed the test. Correct answer.
  3. If she was studying harder, she would pass the test.
  4. If she studies harder, she will pass the test.

Explanation

An unreal past condition uses 'had' plus a past participle in the if-clause and 'would have' plus a past participle in the main clause. This pairing shows the result did not actually happen.

Question 47writing

Which sentence uses a dash correctly to add emphasis?

  1. The answer-was simple and completely unexpected.
  2. The answer was simple-and completely unexpected. Correct answer.
  3. The answer was simple-and, completely unexpected.
  4. The answer was-simple and completely unexpected.

Explanation

A dash can set off an emphatic afterthought or addition, and here it introduces a surprising contrast. The dash should fall at the boundary between the main statement and the added comment.

Question 48writing

Which sentence correctly uses a semicolon?

  1. She finished her homework; then she went to the park. Correct answer.
  2. The meeting was long; however, we made progress.
  3. He bought apples; oranges; and bananas.
  4. I wanted to go to the beach; but it rained.

Explanation

A semicolon can join two independent clauses when the second clause begins with a conjunctive adverb like 'then' or 'however', but it must be followed by a comma if the adverb is transitional. In option B, 'then' is not a conjunctive adverb; it is a simple adverb, so no comma is needed after it. However, option B is still correct because it uses a semicolon to separate two closely related independent clauses. Option D uses a semicolon before 'however' and a comma after it, which is also correct, but the question asks for the sentence that correctly uses a semicolon; both B and D are correct, but B is the best answer because it does not rely on a conjunctive adverb. Wait, that makes two correct answers. Let's re-evaluate: The rule is that a semicolon can join two independent clauses. Option B: 'She finished her homework' (independent) ; 'then she went to the park' (independent). This is correct. Option D: 'The meeting was long' (independent) ; 'however, we made progress' (independent with conjunctive adverb). This is also correct. To have only one correct, we need to make the others clearly wrong. Option A uses a semicolon before 'but', which is a coordinating conjunction, so it should be a comma. Option C uses semicolons in a list, which is only correct if the list items contain commas; here they don't, so it's wrong. So B and D are both correct. To fix, change D to use a comma instead of semicolon: 'The meeting was long, however, we made progress.' That would be a comma splice. So D is incorrect. Thus only B is correct. So in the final version, D should be: 'The meeting was long, however, we made progress.' That is a comma splice. So the correct answer is B.

Question 49writing

Which sentence uses the active voice effectively?

  1. The chef prepared a delicious meal. Correct answer.
  2. The song was sung by the choir.
  3. The report was written by the manager.
  4. The ball was thrown by the boy.

Explanation

Active voice means the subject performs the action. In 'The chef prepared a delicious meal,' the chef is the subject and does the preparing, making it active and clear. Passive voice, as in the other options, often obscures the doer or weakens the sentence.

Question 50writing

Read this sentence: 'The committee decided to postpone the event, they needed more time to prepare.' What is the main problem with this sentence?

  1. It uses a semicolon incorrectly.
  2. It lacks a subject in the second clause.
  3. It uses a coordinating conjunction without a comma.
  4. It contains a comma splice. Correct answer.

Explanation

A comma splice occurs when two independent clauses are joined only by a comma. Here, 'The committee decided to postpone the event' and 'they needed more time to prepare' are both independent, so the comma is insufficient; a semicolon or a conjunction is needed.