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WPS Written Test study materials
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WPS Written Test practice questions

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Question 1Exam structure and written expression

In a formal business report, which sentence is punctuated correctly?

  1. The manager requested three items: a budget, a timeline, and a staffing plan. Correct answer.
  2. The manager requested three items; a budget, a timeline, and a staffing plan.
  3. The manager requested three items, a budget, a timeline, and a staffing plan.
  4. The manager requested three items - a budget, a timeline, and a staffing plan.

Explanation

A colon introduces a list after a complete independent clause, which is exactly the structure here. The clause before the colon can stand alone, so the colon is appropriate. Semicolons and commas do not properly introduce such an enumeration in formal prose.

Question 2Exam structure and written expression

Choose the option that correctly completes the sentence: Neither the supervisor nor the technicians ____ informed about the schedule change.

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

Explanation

With correlative conjunctions such as neither...nor, the verb agrees with the subject closest to it. The nearest subject is the plural noun technicians, so a plural verb is required. Were is the only plural past form among the choices.

Question 3Exam structure and written expression

Which word is the simple subject of this sentence? During the quarterly review, the regional director approved the new budget.

  1. budget
  2. director Correct answer.
  3. review
  4. quarterly

Explanation

The simple subject is the noun or pronoun that performs the action of the main verb. The main verb is approved, and the performer is the regional director, so director is the simple subject. The other words are objects or modifiers.

Question 4Exam structure and written expression

Which sentence uses the apostrophe correctly?

  1. The company's policy requires all employee's badges to be visible.
  2. The companys policy requires all employee's badges to be visible.
  3. The company's policy requires all employees' badges to be visible. Correct answer.
  4. The companys' policy requires all employees badges to be visible.

Explanation

A singular possessor takes an apostrophe before the s, giving company's. A plural possessor ending in s takes the apostrophe after the s, giving employees'. Both possessives in the sentence must follow these rules.

Question 5Exam structure and written expression

Identify the sentence that is a complete sentence rather than a fragment.

  1. The team working late on the proposal.
  2. Because the deadline was moved to Friday.
  3. The committee approved the revised proposal yesterday. Correct answer.
  4. Although several reviewers raised concerns.

Explanation

A complete sentence needs a subject, a finite verb, and a complete thought. The committee approved the revised proposal yesterday contains all three elements. The other options are dependent clauses or phrases that cannot stand alone.

Question 6Exam structure and written expression

Which sentence uses the comparative and superlative forms correctly?

  1. This year's report is more thorough than last year's, and it is the most detailed of the three. Correct answer.
  2. This year's report is more thorough than last year's, and it is the most detailed of all three of them.
  3. This year's report is thorougher than last year's, and it is the most detailed of the three.
  4. This year's report is more thorough than last year's, and it is the more detailed of the three.

Explanation

Comparatives compare two items and superlatives compare three or more. More thorough correctly compares two reports, and most detailed correctly compares three. The forms are also idiomatic.

Question 7Exam structure and written expression

Which sentence has correct parallel structure?

  1. The intern was responsible for drafting emails, scheduling meetings, and database updates to be done.
  2. The intern was responsible for drafting emails, to schedule meetings, and updating the database.
  3. The intern was responsible for drafting emails, scheduling meetings, and to update the database.
  4. The intern was responsible for drafting emails, scheduling meetings, and updating the database. Correct answer.

Explanation

Items in a series must share the same grammatical form. Drafting, scheduling, and updating are all gerunds, so the series is parallel. Mixing gerunds with infinitives or clauses breaks the pattern.

Question 8Exam structure and written expression

Choose the correct pronoun: The award was given to my colleague and ____.

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

Explanation

The pronoun follows the preposition to, so it must be in the objective case. Me is the objective form, and it is correct even when paired with another noun. I is the subjective form and cannot follow a preposition.

Question 9Exam structure and written expression

Which sentence uses a semicolon correctly?

  1. The proposal was approved; implementation will begin, next quarter.
  2. The proposal was approved; however, implementation will begin next quarter. Correct answer.
  3. The proposal was approved; and implementation will begin next quarter.
  4. The proposal was approved; however implementation will begin next quarter.

Explanation

A semicolon may join two independent clauses, and a conjunctive adverb such as however is followed by a comma. This sentence follows both rules. The other options misuse punctuation or conjunctions.

Question 10Exam structure and written expression

Identify the sentence that contains a dangling modifier.

  1. Reviewing the data, the analyst revised the forecast.
  2. After reviewing the data, the forecast was revised by the analyst. Correct answer.
  3. After reviewing the data, the analyst revised the forecast.
  4. The analyst revised the forecast after reviewing the data.

Explanation

A participial phrase must modify the subject of the main clause. In the passive sentence, the subject is the forecast, which cannot review data, so the modifier dangles. The other sentences attach the phrase to the analyst.

Question 11Exam structure and written expression

Choose the option that correctly completes the sentence: If the shipment ____ tomorrow, we will notify the client immediately.

  1. will arrive
  2. arrives Correct answer.
  3. would arrive
  4. arrived

Explanation

In a first conditional sentence, the if-clause uses the simple present and the main clause uses will plus the base verb. The present form arrives is therefore correct. Future forms and past forms do not fit this conditional pattern.

Question 12Exam structure and written expression

Which revision best corrects the run-on sentence: The meeting ran long many attendees left before the vote.

  1. The meeting ran long many attendees, left before the vote.
  2. The meeting ran long; many attendees left before the vote. Correct answer.
  3. The meeting ran long, many attendees left before the vote.
  4. The meeting ran long, and many attendees, left before the vote.

Explanation

Two independent clauses must be separated by a period, a semicolon, or a comma plus a coordinating conjunction. A semicolon alone correctly joins these clauses. A comma alone would create a comma splice.

Question 13Exam structure and written expression

Choose the sentence in which the tense sequence is correct.

  1. He said that he would finish the audit by Friday. Correct answer.
  2. He said that he finishes the audit by Friday.
  3. He said that he will finish the audit by Friday.
  4. He says that he would finish the audit by Friday.

Explanation

When the reporting verb is in the past, the reported clause usually shifts to a past tense. Said requires would finish to express future time from that past perspective. The other options mix tenses inconsistently.

Question 14Exam structure and written expression

Which sentence uses the passive voice appropriately for formal writing?

  1. The inspector discovered the error during the final inspection.
  2. The inspector was discovering the error during the final inspection.
  3. The error was discovered during the final inspection. Correct answer.
  4. During the final inspection the inspector discovered the error.

Explanation

The passive voice is appropriate when the actor is unknown or unimportant and the action matters most. Here the focus is on the error and its discovery rather than on who found it. The other sentences are active or use a progressive form.

Question 15Exam structure and written expression

Choose the correct word: The new policy will ____ all employees equally.

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

Explanation

Affect is normally a verb meaning to influence, while effect is usually a noun meaning a result. After the modal will, the base verb affect is required. The other forms are grammatically or semantically wrong here.

Question 16Exam structure and written expression

Which sentence correctly uses a restrictive clause?

  1. The report which was submitted late, was rejected.
  2. The report, that was submitted late, was rejected.
  3. The report that was submitted late was rejected. Correct answer.
  4. The report, which was submitted late was rejected.

Explanation

A restrictive clause identifies which report is meant and is not set off by commas. That is the preferred relative pronoun for restrictive clauses in formal usage. The other options misplace commas or use the wrong pronoun.

Question 17Exam structure and written expression

Choose the option that correctly completes the sentence: The number of applicants ____ increased sharply, while a number of positions ____ still unfilled.

  1. has; remain Correct answer.
  2. have; remain
  3. has; remains
  4. have; remains

Explanation

The phrase the number of takes a singular verb, while a number of takes a plural verb. Has agrees with the number, and remain agrees with positions. This distinction reflects the grammatical head of each subject.

Question 18Exam structure and written expression

Which sentence avoids a misplaced modifier?

  1. Covered in dust, the technician examined the old equipment.
  2. The technician examined the old equipment covered in dust quickly.
  3. Covered in dust, the old equipment was examined by the technician. Correct answer.
  4. Examined by the technician, the dust covered the old equipment.

Explanation

The introductory participial phrase should modify the noun it logically describes. In this sentence the old equipment is what was covered in dust, so it must be the subject of the main clause. The other sentences attach the phrase to the wrong noun.

Question 19Exam structure and written expression

Choose the sentence that uses a gerund as the subject.

  1. To read technical manuals takes patience.
  2. She enjoys reading technical manuals.
  3. Reading technical manuals requires patience. Correct answer.
  4. The manuals are read by new employees.

Explanation

A gerund is a verb form ending in -ing that functions as a noun. In this sentence reading is the subject of the verb requires. The other sentences use the -ing form as an object or avoid gerunds entirely.

Question 20Exam structure and written expression

Which sentence is written in the most concise, professional style?

  1. Due to the fact that the deadline is approaching, we must prioritize the tasks that are most important.
  2. In view of the fact that the deadline is approaching, it is necessary that we prioritize tasks of importance.
  3. Because the deadline is approaching, we must prioritize the most important tasks. Correct answer.
  4. Owing to the fact that the deadline approaches, we must prioritize the tasks that are important most.

Explanation

Concise professional writing replaces wordy phrases with single words and places modifiers directly before the nouns they describe. Because replaces due to the fact that, and most important directly modifies tasks. The other options are wordy or awkwardly ordered.

Question 21Exam structure and written expression

Which sentence correctly uses the subjunctive mood?

  1. The board recommended that the CEO resigned immediately.
  2. The board recommended that the CEO resign immediately. Correct answer.
  3. The board recommended that the CEO resigns immediately.
  4. The board recommended that the CEO is resigning immediately.

Explanation

Verbs of demand, recommendation, and request take a that-clause in the subjunctive, which uses the base form of the verb regardless of the subject. Resign is therefore correct. The other options use indicative forms.

Question 22Exam structure and written expression

Identify the sentence that contains a faulty comparison.

  1. The new system processes data faster than the old system. Correct answer.
  2. The new system is faster than the old system at processing data.
  3. The new system processes data faster than the old system does.
  4. The new system processes data more quickly than the old one.

Explanation

A comparison must compare like categories, such as system with system or processing with processing. The sentence comparing how the new system processes data with the old system itself is illogical. Adding does makes the comparison parallel and correct.

Question 23Exam structure and written expression

Choose the option that correctly completes the sentence: Had the committee reviewed the proposal earlier, the budget ____ approved by now.

  1. was
  2. would be
  3. will have been
  4. would have been Correct answer.

Explanation

This is a past unreal conditional using an inverted had-clause. The main clause requires would have plus the past participle to express an unreal result. Would have been approved fits this structure.

Question 24Exam structure and written expression

Which sentence uses the colon correctly in formal prose?

  1. The committee reached a conclusion, that the plan should be revised.
  2. The committee reached a conclusion that: the plan should be revised.
  3. The committee reached a conclusion: that the plan should be revised. Correct answer.
  4. The committee reached a conclusion; that the plan should be revised.

Explanation

A colon may introduce an explanation or elaboration after a complete independent clause. The clause before the colon is complete, and the material after it specifies the conclusion. The other options use incorrect punctuation or place the colon after a conjunction.

Question 25Exam structure and written expression

Which sentence maintains consistent pronoun reference throughout?

  1. Each analyst must submit its report before the deadline.
  2. Each analyst must submit their report before the deadline.
  3. Each analyst must submit they report before the deadline.
  4. Each analyst must submit his or her report before the deadline. Correct answer.

Explanation

Each is singular, so a singular pronoun is required for formal agreement. His or her is the traditional singular form that matches each analyst. The other options violate number agreement or use the wrong pronoun type.

Question 26Exam structure and written expression

Choose the option that correctly completes the sentence: Each of the regional managers ____ required to submit a quarterly report by Friday.

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

Explanation

The subject is "Each," an indefinite pronoun that is grammatically singular, so it takes a singular verb. The prepositional phrase "of the regional managers" does not change the number of the subject. Present tense "is" also fits the deadline stated in the sentence.

Question 27Exam structure and written expression

Choose the option that correctly completes the sentence: The consultant, together with two analysts, ____ scheduled to present the findings on Monday.

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

Explanation

When a subject is followed by "together with," the added phrase is a parenthetical and does not make the subject plural. The head noun "consultant" is singular, so a singular verb is required. "Is" also matches the future scheduled event.

Question 28Exam structure and written expression

Choose the option that correctly completes the sentence: The supervisor asked that every employee ____ the safety training before operating the equipment.

  1. completes
  2. completed
  3. complete Correct answer.
  4. will complete

Explanation

Verbs of request and demand such as "ask that" trigger the subjunctive mood, which uses the base form of the verb regardless of the subject. "Every employee complete" is therefore correct. The subjunctive shows a required action rather than a factual statement.

Question 29Exam structure and written expression

Which sentence uses an apostrophe correctly?

  1. The team's proposal was rejected, but the manager's revisions were accepted by all.
  2. The teams' proposal was rejected, but the managers' revisions were accepted. Correct answer.
  3. The team's proposal was rejected, but the managers revisions were accepted.
  4. The teams proposal was rejected, but the manager's revisions were accepted.

Explanation

Plural nouns ending in -s take an apostrophe after the s to show possession, as in "teams'" and "managers'." Option 0 applies this rule consistently to both plural possessors. The other options either omit a needed apostrophe or misplace it.

Question 30Exam structure and written expression

Choose the option that correctly completes the sentence: The report was written ____ the new intern, and it was submitted ____ the director.

  1. from; by
  2. to; by
  3. with; for
  4. by; to Correct answer.

Explanation

In passive constructions, the agent who performs the action is introduced by "by," and the recipient of a submission is introduced by "to." Thus "written by the intern" and "submitted to the director" are both idiomatic. The paired prepositions must match the meaning of each verb.

Question 31Exam structure and written expression

Choose the option that correctly completes the sentence: Neither the director nor the assistants ____ aware of the schedule change.

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

Explanation

With "neither...nor," the verb agrees with the nearer subject. The nearer subject is the plural "assistants," so a plural verb is required. "Were" also matches the past context implied by the sentence.

Question 32Exam structure and written expression

Which sentence uses the article correctly?

  1. She is a honest person who always gives useful advice.
  2. She is an honest person who always gives useful advice. Correct answer.
  3. She is the honest person who always gives an useful advice.
  4. She is an honest person who always gives a useful advice.

Explanation

"An" precedes vowel sounds, and "honest" begins with a silent h, so "an honest person" is correct. "Advice" is an uncountable noun and takes no indefinite article, so "useful advice" is right. Option 2 satisfies both rules.

Question 33Exam structure and written expression

Which sentence uses a modal verb to express the correct degree of obligation?

  1. Employees must submit receipts by the 30th; they may also request an extension in writing. Correct answer.
  2. Employees can submit receipts by the 30th; they must also request an extension in writing.
  3. Employees might submit receipts by the 30th; they should also request an extension in writing.
  4. Employees could submit receipts by the 30th; they will also request an extension in writing.

Explanation

"Must" expresses a firm requirement, which suits a submission deadline, while "may" expresses permission, which suits requesting an extension. The modals in option 0 match these meanings. The other options weaken the requirement or misstate permission as obligation.

Question 34Exam structure and written expression

Which sentence uses a conditional form correctly?

  1. Unless the client does not confirm by noon, we will proceed with the original plan.
  2. Unless the client will confirm by noon, we will proceed with the original plan.
  3. Unless the client confirmed by noon, we will proceed with the original plan.
  4. Unless the client confirms by noon, we will proceed with the original plan. Correct answer.

Explanation

"Unless" already carries a negative meaning, so the clause after it should be affirmative. In a first conditional, the if-clause takes the present simple while the main clause takes "will." Option 1 follows both rules.

Question 35Exam structure and written expression

Which sentence places the adverb in the most natural position?

  1. She already has completed the training module.
  2. She has already completed the training module. Correct answer.
  3. She has completed the training module already yesterday.
  4. She has completed already the training module.

Explanation

Mid-position adverbs such as "already" normally sit between the auxiliary and the main verb, giving "has already completed." This placement is standard in formal written English. The other options place the adverb awkwardly or redundantly.

Question 36Exam structure and written expression

Which sentence uses a relative pronoun correctly?

  1. The analyst who prepared the forecast will present it tomorrow. Correct answer.
  2. The analyst whose prepared the forecast will present it tomorrow.
  3. The analyst whom prepared the forecast will present it tomorrow.
  4. The analyst which prepared the forecast will present it tomorrow.

Explanation

"Who" is the subject pronoun used for people, and it functions as the subject of "prepared." The relative clause therefore needs "who," not "which," "whom," or "whose." Option 1 uses the correct form.

Question 37Exam structure and written expression

Which sentence uses the infinitive or gerund form correctly after the verb?

  1. The committee decided postponing the vote until next week.
  2. The committee decided postpone the vote until next week.
  3. The committee decided to postponing the vote until next week.
  4. The committee decided to postpone the vote until next week. Correct answer.

Explanation

The verb "decide" is followed by a to-infinitive, so "decided to postpone" is correct. Gerunds follow verbs such as "consider" or "avoid," not "decide." Option 1 observes the correct complement pattern.

Question 38Exam structure and written expression

Which sentence uses "fewer" and "less" correctly?

  1. The new process required less steps and fewer time than the old one.
  2. The new process required fewer steps and fewer time than the old one.
  3. The new process required fewer steps and less time than the old one. Correct answer.
  4. The new process required less steps and less time than the old one.

Explanation

"Fewer" modifies countable plural nouns such as "steps," while "less" modifies uncountable nouns such as "time." Option 1 applies each word to the appropriate noun. The other options reverse or misapply the distinction.

Question 39Exam structure and written expression

Which sentence uses correlative conjunctions with correct parallel structure and agreement?

  1. Not only the manager but also the staff members has been informed of the change.
  2. Not only the manager but also the staff members is informed of the change.
  3. Not only the manager but also the staff members was informed of the change.
  4. Not only the manager but also the staff members were informed of the change. Correct answer.

Explanation

With "not only...but also," the verb agrees with the subject nearer to it, which is the plural "staff members." A plural verb is therefore required. "Were" also matches the completed past action.

Question 40Exam structure and written expression

Which sentence uses an elliptical construction without creating ambiguity?

  1. The new policy is stricter than the previous one, and it affects more employees than the old policy affects employees.
  2. The new policy is stricter than the previous one, and it affects more employees than the old policy did. Correct answer.
  3. The new policy is stricter than the previous one, and it affects more employees than the old policy.
  4. The new policy is stricter than the previous one, and it affects more employees than did the old policy affects.

Explanation

Ellipsis omits words that the reader can recover from context, but the comparison must remain complete in meaning. Option 0 supplies the auxiliary "did" so that the comparison is clearly between the two policies' effects. The other options leave the comparison incomplete or redundant.

Question 41Grammar, usage, and sentence correction

Choose the sentence that is grammatically correct.

  1. Each of the students has submitted a report. Correct answer.
  2. Each of the students have submitted a report.
  3. Each of the students have submitted a reports.
  4. Each of the student has submitted a report.

Explanation

The subject is the singular pronoun "each," so the verb must be singular: "has." The plural noun in the prepositional phrase "of the students" does not change the number of the subject.

Question 42Grammar, usage, and sentence correction

Which sentence uses the correct form of the past tense?

  1. She goed to the market yesterday.
  2. She go to the market yesterday.
  3. She went to the market yesterday. Correct answer.
  4. She gone to the market yesterday.

Explanation

"Go" is an irregular verb whose simple past tense is "went." The past-time adverb "yesterday" requires a past-tense verb, not the base form or past participle alone.

Question 43Grammar, usage, and sentence correction

Select the sentence with correct pronoun case.

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

Explanation

A preposition such as "between" takes the objective case, so "me" is correct rather than "I." "Between" also conventionally takes two objects joined by "and."

Question 44Grammar, usage, and sentence correction

Which sentence is punctuated correctly?

  1. We need three items: bread, milk, and eggs. Correct answer.
  2. We need three items, bread milk and eggs.
  3. We need three items; bread, milk and eggs.
  4. We need three items bread, milk, and eggs.

Explanation

A colon may introduce a list that follows a complete clause. Commas then separate the items within the list.

Question 45Grammar, usage, and sentence correction

Choose the sentence that uses the correct comparative form.

  1. This route is shorter than the other one. Correct answer.
  2. This route is more shorter than the other one.
  3. This route is shortest than the other one.
  4. This route is more short than the other one.

Explanation

Short adjectives of one syllable form the comparative with "-er" and take "than." The superlative "-est" is used only when comparing three or more items.

Question 46Grammar, usage, and sentence correction

Which sentence correctly uses an apostrophe?

  1. The dogs bowl is empty.
  2. The dogs' bowl is empty and belongs to one dog.
  3. The dog's are barking.
  4. The dog's bowl is empty. Correct answer.

Explanation

A singular possessive noun takes an apostrophe before the "s": "dog's." The apostrophe marks possession, not plurality.

Question 47Grammar, usage, and sentence correction

Choose the sentence with correct article usage.

  1. She is the honest person in general.
  2. She is a honest person.
  3. She is an honest person. Correct answer.
  4. She is honest a person.

Explanation

Article choice depends on sound, not spelling. "Honest" begins with a vowel sound because the "h" is silent, so "an" is required.

Question 48Grammar, usage, and sentence correction

Which sentence is a complete sentence rather than a fragment?

  1. Because the train was late.
  2. Waiting at the platform for an hour.
  3. The train arrived late. Correct answer.
  4. Although we had checked the schedule.

Explanation

A complete sentence needs a subject and a finite verb that form an independent clause. "The train arrived late" satisfies both requirements.

Question 49Grammar, usage, and sentence correction

Choose the sentence that correctly uses the past perfect tense.

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

Explanation

The past perfect ("had started") marks an action completed before another past action. The arrival is the later past event, so the earlier one takes "had."

Question 50Grammar, usage, and sentence correction

Which sentence uses "who" or "whom" correctly?

  1. The candidate who we interviewed was confident.
  2. The candidate whom won the debate was confident.
  3. The candidate who won the debate was confident. Correct answer.
  4. The candidate whom spoke first was confident.

Explanation

"Who" is the subject of its clause, so it is correct when the relative pronoun performs the action "won." "Whom" appears when the pronoun is an object.