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COM-FSM Placement study materials
COM-FSM Placement study resources

COM-FSM Placement practice questions

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Question 1English / Writing Skills

Choose the sentence that is punctuated correctly.

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

Explanation

A nonrestrictive relative clause gives extra, nonessential information and must be set off by commas on both sides. Because the clause could be removed without changing which sister is meant, it needs a comma before and after it.

Question 2English / Writing Skills

Which word correctly completes the sentence: 'Each of the students ___ responsible for bringing a pencil.'

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

Explanation

The subject is the indefinite pronoun 'each,' which is singular, so it takes a singular verb. The plural noun 'students' appears only in a prepositional phrase and does not control agreement.

Question 3English / Writing Skills

Choose the sentence in which the pronoun reference is clear.

  1. She was nervous, so Maria told the principal.
  2. Maria was nervous when she spoke to the principal. Correct answer.
  3. When Maria spoke to the principal, she was nervous.
  4. Maria told the principal that she was nervous.

Explanation

A pronoun should refer to only one possible noun. In this sentence 'she' can only refer to Maria, so the meaning is unambiguous.

Question 4English / Writing Skills

Which sentence uses the apostrophe correctly?

  1. The teachers's lounge is on the second floor.
  2. The teachers lounge is on the second floor.
  3. The teachers' lounge is on the second floor. Correct answer.
  4. The teacher's lounge is on the second floor.

Explanation

A lounge shared by several teachers requires the possessive form of a plural noun ending in -s, which is formed by adding only an apostrophe after the s.

Question 5English / Writing Skills

Choose the correct form to complete the sentence: 'She has ___ finished her homework.'

  1. all-ready
  2. allreddy
  3. already Correct answer.
  4. all ready

Explanation

'Already' is an adverb meaning 'by this time' and fits before a past participle. The phrase 'all ready' means 'completely prepared' and is two separate words.

Question 6English / Writing Skills

Which sentence is a complete sentence (not a fragment)?

  1. Waiting at the dock for over an hour.
  2. Although the ferry arrived late.
  3. Because the ferry arrived late.
  4. The ferry arrived late because of the storm. Correct answer.

Explanation

A complete sentence needs a subject and a finite verb and must express a complete thought. Only this option has both an independent clause and no subordinating word left dangling.

Question 7English / Writing Skills

Choose the sentence that uses the correct verb tense.

  1. Yesterday, I have gone to the store.
  2. Yesterday, I will go to the store.
  3. Yesterday, I went to the store. Correct answer.
  4. Yesterday, I go to the store.

Explanation

The adverb 'yesterday' signals a completed action in the past, which requires the simple past tense. The other tenses do not match the time frame.

Question 8English / Writing Skills

Which sentence correctly uses a semicolon?

  1. I wanted to go; to the beach.
  2. I wanted to go to the beach; it rained instead. Correct answer.
  3. I wanted to go to the beach; but it rained.
  4. I wanted; to go to the beach.

Explanation

A semicolon joins two closely related independent clauses without a conjunction. Each side of the semicolon here is a complete clause.

Question 9English / Writing Skills

Choose the option that correctly completes the sentence: 'Neither the manager nor the employees ___ aware of the change.'

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

Explanation

With 'neither...nor,' the verb agrees with the subject closest to it. The nearest subject is the plural 'employees,' so the plural verb 'were' is required.

Question 10English / Writing Skills

Which sentence avoids a dangling modifier?

  1. Walking through the park, I saw beautiful trees. Correct answer.
  2. Walking through the park, the trees were beautiful.
  3. Walking through the park, beauty was seen in the trees.
  4. Walking through the park, the trees looked beautiful to me.

Explanation

An introductory participial phrase must describe the subject of the main clause. Only here does the subject 'I' perform the action of walking.

Question 11English / Writing Skills

Choose the sentence written in the active voice.

  1. The report was written by the intern.
  2. The report has been written.
  3. The report will be written tomorrow.
  4. The intern wrote the report. Correct answer.

Explanation

In active voice the subject performs the action of the verb. Here 'the intern' is the doer and 'wrote' is the action.

Question 12English / Writing Skills

Which sentence uses the correct comparative or superlative form?

  1. This is more tall than the other buildings.
  2. This is taller than any building on the island.
  3. This is the most tallest building on the island.
  4. This is the tallest of the three buildings. Correct answer.

Explanation

When comparing three or more items, the superlative form 'tallest' is required. Comparative forms are used for only two items.

Question 13English / Writing Skills

Choose the sentence that correctly uses a colon.

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

Explanation

A colon introduces a list after an independent clause. The clause before the colon must be complete, and the list follows it.

Question 14English / Writing Skills

Which sentence has correct parallel structure?

  1. She likes hiking, swimming, and to ride bikes.
  2. She likes hiking, swimming, and riding bikes. Correct answer.
  3. She likes hiking, to swim, and bike riding.
  4. She likes to hike, swimming, and riding bikes.

Explanation

Items in a series should share the same grammatical form. Here all three items are gerunds, so the list is parallel.

Question 15English / Writing Skills

Choose the correct word: 'The effect of the storm ___ everyone in the village.'

  1. infected
  2. affected Correct answer.
  3. afflicted by
  4. effected

Explanation

'Affect' is normally a verb meaning to influence, while 'effect' is usually a noun meaning result. The sentence needs the verb meaning 'influenced.'

Question 16English / Writing Skills

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

  1. The dog wagged it's tail.
  2. The team celebrated its victory. Correct answer.
  3. Its raining outside today.
  4. The cat licked it's paw.

Explanation

'Its' is the possessive form, while 'it's' is a contraction of 'it is' or 'it has.' The sentence needs the possessive before 'victory.'

Question 17English / Writing Skills

Choose the sentence that correctly uses a comma with an introductory element.

  1. After the long meeting, we went home. Correct answer.
  2. After the long, meeting we went home.
  3. After, the long meeting we went home.
  4. After the long meeting we went home.

Explanation

An introductory phrase that comes before the main clause should be followed by a comma. The comma marks the boundary between the phrase and the independent clause.

Question 18English / Writing Skills

Which sentence correctly uses the past perfect tense?

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

Explanation

Past perfect ('had started') shows an action completed before another past action. The arrival is the later past event, so the earlier event takes past perfect.

Question 19English / Writing Skills

Choose the option that correctly completes the sentence: 'The number of applicants ___ increased this year.'

  1. were
  2. are
  3. has Correct answer.
  4. have

Explanation

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

Question 20English / Writing Skills

Which sentence correctly avoids a run-on?

  1. The rain stopped and we went outside quickly.
  2. The rain stopped we went outside.
  3. The rain stopped, so we went outside. Correct answer.
  4. The rain stopped, we went outside.

Explanation

Two independent clauses joined by a comma and a coordinating conjunction form a correct compound sentence. The conjunction 'so' shows the cause-and-effect relationship.

Question 21English / Writing Skills

Choose the sentence in which the modifier is placed correctly.

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

Explanation

A modifier should be placed next to the word it describes. The sandwiches, not the guests, are on paper plates, so the phrase belongs immediately after 'sandwiches.'

Question 22English / Writing Skills

Which sentence uses the subjunctive mood correctly?

  1. If I was you, I would apologize.
  2. The teacher requires that every student be on time. Correct answer.
  3. I wish I was taller.
  4. She acts as if she was the boss.

Explanation

The subjunctive uses the base form 'be' after verbs of demand or requirement such as 'requires that.' In hypothetical statements, 'were' is also the standard subjunctive form.

Question 23English / Writing Skills

Choose the sentence that uses the correct word form.

  1. The committee will carefully review the proposal. Correct answer.
  2. The committee will review careful the proposal.
  3. The committee will review the proposal with careful.
  4. The committee will review the proposal careful.

Explanation

An adverb modifies a verb, so 'carefully' is needed to describe how the committee will review. Adjectives modify nouns, not verbs.

Question 24English / Writing Skills

Which sentence maintains consistent point of view?

  1. When a student studies hard, they earns better grades.
  2. When students study hard, they earn better grades. Correct answer.
  3. When you study hard, a student earns better grades.
  4. When a student studies hard, you earn better grades.

Explanation

A sentence should keep a consistent person and number. Using 'students' with 'they' keeps the subject and pronoun in agreement throughout.

Question 25English / Writing Skills

Choose the sentence that correctly uses a dash or parentheses for emphasis.

  1. The final decision, and it was unanimous, surprised everyone.
  2. The final decision; and it was unanimous; surprised everyone.
  3. The final decision and it was unanimous surprised everyone.
  4. The final decision (and it was unanimous) surprised everyone. Correct answer.

Explanation

Parentheses can enclose an interrupting remark that adds emphasis or explanation without changing the main clause. The main clause 'The final decision surprised everyone' remains complete.

Question 26English / Writing Skills

Choose the sentence that uses the apostrophe correctly to show possession.

  1. The student's books were left on the table by the three student's.
  2. The students books were left on the table.
  3. The students' books were left on the table. Correct answer.
  4. The student's' books were left on the table.

Explanation

A plural noun ending in -s forms the possessive by adding only an apostrophe after the s, so 'students'' correctly means the books belonging to multiple students. The other options either omit the apostrophe, misplace it, or add an apostrophe to a noun that is not possessive.

Question 27English / Writing Skills

Which sentence uses the article correctly?

  1. She is a honest person who keeps her promises.
  2. She is an honest person who keeps a promises.
  3. She is the honest person who keeps her promises always.
  4. She is an honest person who keeps her promises. Correct answer.

Explanation

Use 'an' before a word that begins with a vowel sound, and 'honest' starts with a silent h, producing a vowel sound. 'A honest' is wrong because the article does not match the sound, and the remaining options contain additional article errors.

Question 28English / Writing Skills

Choose the sentence that uses the correct preposition.

  1. He is good in solving difficult math problems.
  2. He is good on solving difficult math problems.
  3. He is good at solving difficult math problems. Correct answer.
  4. He is good for solving difficult math problems.

Explanation

The adjective 'good' is followed by the preposition 'at' when describing a skill or ability. The other prepositions do not collocate with 'good' in this sense.

Question 29English / Writing Skills

Choose the sentence that uses the correct pronoun case.

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

Explanation

A preposition such as 'between' takes an object pronoun, so 'me' is correct rather than the subject pronoun 'I'. The other options use subject pronouns or reflexive forms where object pronouns are required.

Question 30English / Writing Skills

Which sentence uses the correct form of the verb 'to lie' (to recline)?

  1. Yesterday she laid on the couch for an hour.
  2. Yesterday she lied on the couch for an hour.
  3. Yesterday she lain on the couch for an hour.
  4. Yesterday she lay on the couch for an hour. Correct answer.

Explanation

The verb 'lie' (to recline) has the forms lie, lay, lain; its past tense is 'lay'. 'Laid' is the past of the transitive verb 'lay' (to place something), 'lain' needs a helping verb, and 'lied' means told an untruth.

Question 31English / Writing Skills

Choose the sentence that uses the hyphen correctly.

  1. My sister-in-law visited us last weekend. Correct answer.
  2. My sister-in law visited us last weekend.
  3. My sister in-law visited us last weekend.
  4. My sister in law visited us last weekend.

Explanation

Compound kinship terms such as 'sister-in-law' are hyphenated between each element. The other options either place the hyphen incorrectly or omit it entirely.

Question 32English / Writing Skills

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

  1. The candidate who the committee chose gave a short speech.
  2. The candidate whom the committee chose gave a short speech. Correct answer.
  3. The candidate whom gave a short speech was chosen.
  4. The candidate which the committee chose gave a short speech.

Explanation

'Whom' is the object pronoun and here serves as the object of 'chose' within the relative clause, so it is correct. 'Who' is a subject pronoun, 'which' is used for things rather than people, and the pronoun must match its role in the clause.

Question 33English / Writing Skills

Choose the sentence that correctly uses an apostrophe to form a contraction.

  1. They're planning to arrive before noon. Correct answer.
  2. Their planning to arrive before noon.
  3. Theyr'e planning to arrive before noon.
  4. There planning to arrive before noon.

Explanation

'They're' is the contraction of 'they are,' with the apostrophe replacing the missing 'a'. 'Their' is a possessive, 'there' indicates place, and 'theyr'e' misplaces the apostrophe.

Question 34English / Writing Skills

Which sentence uses the correct adverb to modify the adjective?

  1. The team performed remarkably well under pressure. Correct answer.
  2. The team performed remarkable well under pressure.
  3. The team performed remarkable good under pressure.
  4. The team performed more remarkable under pressure.

Explanation

An adverb is needed to modify the adverb 'well,' and 'remarkably' is the adverbial form. Adjectives such as 'remarkable' cannot modify another adverb, and 'more remarkable' is a comparative adjective phrase.

Question 35English / Writing Skills

Choose the option that correctly completes the sentence: 'Each of the players ___ a new uniform.'

  1. are receiving
  2. have received
  3. receive
  4. receives Correct answer.

Explanation

The subject 'each' is singular and takes a singular verb, so 'receives' is correct. Words like 'each,' 'every,' and 'neither' are grammatically singular even when followed by a plural phrase.

Question 36English / Writing Skills

Which sentence correctly uses a comma to set off a nonrestrictive (nonessential) clause?

  1. My uncle, who lives in Texas works as an engineer.
  2. My uncle who lives in Texas, works as an engineer.
  3. My uncle who lives in Texas works, as an engineer.
  4. My uncle, who lives in Texas, works as an engineer. Correct answer.

Explanation

A nonrestrictive clause adds extra information and must be enclosed by commas on both sides. Only the first option places commas at both the start and end of the clause.

Question 37English / Writing Skills

Choose the sentence in which the apostrophe is used correctly to form the possessive of a singular noun ending in s.

  1. The bosses office is on the second floor.
  2. The boss's office is on the second floor. Correct answer.
  3. The boss' office is on the second floor always.
  4. The boss's' office is on the second floor.

Explanation

A singular noun, even one ending in s, typically forms the possessive by adding 's, so 'boss's' is standard. Omitting the apostrophe or doubling it is incorrect, and the alternative 'boss'' is less standard and does not match the other errors in the options.

Question 38English / Writing Skills

Which sentence uses the correct word: 'fewer' or 'less'?

  1. There are less students in the class this semester than before.
  2. There are fewer water in the bottle than before.
  3. There are fewer students in the class this semester. Correct answer.
  4. There are less students in the class this semester.

Explanation

'Fewer' is used with countable nouns such as 'students,' while 'less' is used with uncountable nouns such as 'water'. The first option correctly pairs 'fewer' with a countable noun.

Question 39English / Writing Skills

Choose the sentence that correctly uses a modal verb to express strong obligation.

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

Explanation

'Must' expresses strong obligation or necessity, which matches the meaning required. 'Might,' 'could,' and 'may' express possibility or permission rather than obligation.

Question 40English / Writing Skills

Which sentence uses the correct form of the comparative adverb?

  1. She speaks more clear than her brother does.
  2. She speaks clearer than her brother does.
  3. She speaks most clearly than her brother does.
  4. She speaks more clearly than her brother does. Correct answer.

Explanation

Adverbs of two or more syllables form the comparative with 'more' plus the adverb, so 'more clearly' is correct. 'Clearer' and 'more clear' use adjective forms, and 'most clearly' is superlative, not comparative.

Question 41English / Writing Skills

Choose the sentence that correctly uses a gerund as the subject.

  1. Swim in the ocean requires caution.
  2. To swimming in the ocean requires caution.
  3. Swam in the ocean requires caution.
  4. Swimming in the ocean requires caution. Correct answer.

Explanation

A gerund is the -ing form of a verb used as a noun, and 'swimming' correctly serves as the subject of the sentence. The other options use a base verb, an infinitive with a gerund, or a past-tense verb, none of which can act as a subject here.

Question 42English / Writing Skills

Which sentence uses the correct possessive pronoun?

  1. The decision was they're to make.
  2. The decision was theirs to make. Correct answer.
  3. The decision was there to make.
  4. The decision was their's to make.

Explanation

Possessive pronouns such as 'theirs' do not take an apostrophe. 'Their's' incorrectly adds an apostrophe, 'they're' means 'they are,' and 'there' indicates place.

Question 43English / Writing Skills

Choose the sentence that correctly uses a comma in a series of items.

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

Explanation

Items in a series are separated by commas, including a comma before the conjunction 'and' in the standard serial-comma style. The first option places commas correctly between all items.

Question 44English / Writing Skills

Which sentence correctly uses a quotation mark with punctuation?

  1. She said "I will be there at noon." she added.
  2. She said "I will be there at noon".
  3. She said, "I will be there at noon".
  4. She said, "I will be there at noon." Correct answer.

Explanation

A comma introduces the quotation, the quoted sentence begins with a capital letter, and the period goes inside the closing quotation mark. The other options misplace the period or omit the introductory comma.

Question 45English / Writing Skills

Choose the sentence that uses the correct irregular plural form.

  1. Three children were playing in the yard. Correct answer.
  2. Three childes were playing in the yard.
  3. Three childs were playing in the yard.
  4. Three childrens were playing in the yard.

Explanation

'Child' has the irregular plural 'children,' which is already plural and takes no additional -s. The other options either regularize the plural incorrectly or double the plural marker.

Question 46English / Writing Skills

Which sentence correctly uses an infinitive phrase as the object of a verb?

  1. She decided to studying abroad next year.
  2. She decided to study abroad next year. Correct answer.
  3. She decided studying abroad next year.
  4. She decided study abroad next year.

Explanation

The verb 'decide' takes an infinitive as its object, so 'to study' is correct. The other options use a gerund, a base verb, or a mixed infinitive-gerund form, none of which fit 'decided'.

Question 47English / Writing Skills

Choose the sentence that correctly uses 'a lot' or 'alot'.

  1. She has a lots of homework tonight.
  2. She has a lot of homework tonight. Correct answer.
  3. She has lot of homework tonight.
  4. She has alot of homework tonight.

Explanation

'A lot' is written as two words; 'alot' is a misspelling, and 'a lots' and 'lot of' are also incorrect forms. Only the first option uses the standard spelling.

Question 48English / Writing Skills

Which sentence uses the correct subordinating conjunction to show contrast?

  1. So it was raining, the team continued to practice.
  2. Because it was raining, the team continued to practice.
  3. Although it was raining, the team continued to practice. Correct answer.
  4. Unless it was raining, the team continued to practice.

Explanation

'Although' introduces a concessive clause that signals contrast between the rain and the practice. 'Because' shows cause, 'so' shows result, and 'unless' shows a condition.

Question 49English / Writing Skills

Choose the sentence that correctly uses a possessive apostrophe with a compound subject.

  1. Maria's and Tom project won first place.
  2. Maria and Toms' project won first place.
  3. Maria and Tom's project won first place. Correct answer.
  4. Maria's and Tom's's project won first place.

Explanation

When two people jointly own something, the apostrophe is placed on the final name only, so 'Maria and Tom's project' is correct. The other options misplace the apostrophe or apply it to only one name.

Question 50English / Writing Skills

Which sentence uses the correct form to express a wish about the past (past unreal)?

  1. I wish I have studied harder for the exam.
  2. I wish I studied harder for the exam yesterday.
  3. I wish I had studied harder for the exam. Correct answer.
  4. I wish I would studied harder for the exam.

Explanation

For a wish about an unreal past situation, English uses 'wish' plus the past perfect ('had studied'). The simple past refers to the present, the present perfect is not used after 'wish' for past regret, and 'would studied' is grammatically invalid.