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NES EAS Writing (NT002) study materials
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NES EAS Writing (NT002) practice questions

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Question 1Grammar and Usage

A candidate writes, "The committee reviews the proposals and then submits its recommendation." Which grammatical description best fits this sentence?

  1. A compound sentence joined by a coordinating conjunction
  2. A complex sentence with a dependent clause
  3. A compound predicate with a single subject Correct answer.
  4. A sentence fragment lacking a main clause

Explanation

The sentence has one subject ("The committee") governing two verbs, "reviews" and "submits," connected by "and." That structure is a compound predicate, not a compound sentence, because there is only one independent clause. A compound sentence would require a second subject and clause.

Question 2Grammar and Usage

In the sentence "The editor, who had reviewed the manuscript twice, returned it with comments," the clause "who had reviewed the manuscript twice" functions as which element?

  1. A restrictive relative clause essential to identifying the editor
  2. A nonrestrictive relative clause adding supplementary information Correct answer.
  3. A noun clause serving as the object of "returned"
  4. An adverbial clause modifying the verb "returned"

Explanation

The clause is set off by commas and begins with "who," so it is a nonrestrictive relative clause that modifies "editor" while adding extra, nonessential detail. Removing it leaves a complete, coherent sentence. Restrictive clauses are not set off by commas.

Question 3Grammar and Usage

Which sentence uses the semicolon in a way consistent with standard usage conventions?

  1. He asked a simple question; whether the deadline could move.
  2. The report was late; because the data had not arrived.
  3. She packed three items; a laptop, a charger, and a notebook.
  4. The draft was thorough; nevertheless, the reviewer requested revisions. Correct answer.

Explanation

A semicolon may join two independent clauses, and here it links "The draft was thorough" to "nevertheless, the reviewer requested revisions," a second independent clause introduced by a conjunctive adverb. The other sentences place a semicolon before a fragment rather than a full clause.

Question 4Grammar and Usage

Which sentence maintains consistent subject-verb agreement with a collective noun used as a single unit?

  1. The jury disagree among themselves about the verdict.
  2. The jury has reached its verdict after two days. Correct answer.
  3. The jury were reaching their verdict after two days.
  4. The jury have reached their verdict after two days.

Explanation

When a collective noun such as "jury" acts as a single unit, it takes a singular verb and singular pronoun: "has reached its verdict." Plural verbs and pronouns apply only when the members are acting individually, which this sentence does not indicate.

Question 5Grammar and Usage

Identify the sentence in which the pronoun case is correct throughout.

  1. Between you and I, the proposal needs work.
  2. The supervisor asked my colleague and I to revise the draft.
  3. Whom do you think will be selected?
  4. The award went to whoever finished first. Correct answer.

Explanation

"Whoever" is correct because the entire clause "whoever finished first" serves as the object of the preposition "to," and within that clause "whoever" is the subject. Pronoun case is determined by function inside its own clause, not by the surrounding preposition.

Question 6Grammar and Usage

Which sentence uses the apostrophe correctly for a plural possessive?

  1. The three editors's desks were moved to the new office.
  2. The three editor's desks were moved to the new office.
  3. The three editors desks' were moved to the new office.
  4. The three editors' desks were moved to the new office. Correct answer.

Explanation

A regular plural noun ending in -s forms the possessive by adding only an apostrophe after the s: "editors'." The apostrophe marks possession of the desks by multiple editors.

Question 7Grammar and Usage

Which revision corrects the dangling modifier in "Walking to the office, the rain soaked my coat"?

  1. Having walked to the office, the rain soaked my coat.
  2. The rain soaked my coat while walking to the office.
  3. Walking to the office, I was soaked by the rain. Correct answer.
  4. Walking to the office, my coat was soaked by the rain.

Explanation

A participial phrase must modify the noun it logically describes. In the original, "walking" seems to modify "rain," which is absurd; supplying "I" as the subject gives the modifier a sensible referent.

Question 8Grammar and Usage

In the sentence "Neither the manager nor the employees were informed of the schedule change," which principle explains the verb form?

  1. The verb should be singular because "neither" begins the subject.
  2. The verb should be plural because "nor" always governs a plural verb.
  3. The verb agrees with the nearer subject, "employees." Correct answer.
  4. The verb agrees with the first subject, "manager."

Explanation

With "neither...nor," the verb agrees with the subject closest to it. Here "employees" is nearest and is plural, so "were" is correct. The first subject does not control agreement in this construction.

Question 9Grammar and Usage

Which sentence correctly uses a colon?

  1. The team needed: a plan, a budget, and a leader.
  2. The team needed three things, a plan, a budget, and a leader.
  3. The team needed three things: a plan, a budget, and a leader. Correct answer.
  4. The team needed three things; a plan, a budget, and a leader.

Explanation

A colon follows an independent clause and introduces a list or explanation. "The team needed three things" is a complete clause, so the colon is appropriate before the enumerated items.

Question 10Grammar and Usage

Which sentence avoids a faulty comparison?

  1. The new software runs faster than the old system does. Correct answer.
  2. The new software is faster than the old system.
  3. The speed of the new software is faster than the old system.
  4. The new software's speed exceeds the old system.

Explanation

A comparison must set like against like. "Runs faster than the old system does" compares the software's running to the old system's running, which is a balanced comparison. The other options compare speed to a system or a system to a speed.

Question 11Grammar and Usage

Which sentence uses parallel structure in its series?

  1. The intern was responsible for filing reports, scheduling meetings, and answering calls. Correct answer.
  2. The intern was responsible for filing reports, to schedule meetings, and answering calls.
  3. The intern was responsible for filing reports, scheduling meetings, and to answer calls.
  4. The intern was responsible for reports, scheduling meetings, and to answer calls.

Explanation

Items in a series should share the same grammatical form. Here all three are gerund phrases ("filing," "scheduling," "answering"), creating balance and clarity. Mixing infinitives and gerunds breaks parallelism.

Question 12Grammar and Usage

Which sentence correctly distinguishes "affect" from "effect"?

  1. The new policy's affect on scheduling was significant.
  2. The new policy will affect the way employees schedule breaks. Correct answer.
  3. The new policy will effect the way employees schedule breaks.
  4. The new policy will have an affect on how employees schedule breaks.

Explanation

"Affect" is normally a verb meaning to influence, while "effect" is normally a noun meaning result. The sentence needs the verb "affect" to express influence on scheduling.

Question 13Grammar and Usage

Which sentence handles the pronoun reference clearly?

  1. When the manager met with the analyst, she explained the new policy.
  2. When the manager met with the analyst, the manager explained the new policy. Correct answer.
  3. When the manager met with the analyst, they explained the new policy.
  4. When the manager met with the analyst, it explained the new policy.

Explanation

A pronoun should refer unambiguously to a single antecedent. In the original, "she" could refer to either the manager or the analyst, so repeating the noun eliminates the ambiguity.

Question 14Grammar and Usage

Which sentence correctly uses the subjunctive mood?

  1. The board recommended that the policy was revised immediately.
  2. The board recommended that the policy be revised immediately. Correct answer.
  3. The board recommended that the policy will be revised immediately.
  4. The board recommended that the policy is revised immediately.

Explanation

Verbs expressing a demand, recommendation, or request followed by "that" take the subjunctive, which uses the base form of the verb regardless of subject or tense: "be revised." This signals a desired action rather than a stated fact.

Question 15Grammar and Usage

Which sentence uses the dash correctly?

  1. The proposal-which had been revised twice, was finally approved.
  2. The proposal, which had been revised twice-was finally approved.
  3. The proposal-which had been revised twice-was finally approved. Correct answer.
  4. The proposal which had been revised twice-was finally approved.

Explanation

Dashes used as a pair must be balanced, enclosing the interrupting material on both sides. Here the paired dashes set off the relative clause symmetrically, and the sentence remains complete without the interruption.

Question 16Grammar and Usage

Which sentence correctly uses "its" and "it's"?

  1. The company announced its new policy yesterday. Correct answer.
  2. The company announced it's new policy yesterday.
  3. The company announced its' new policy yesterday.
  4. The company announced its new policy, and it's details follow.

Explanation

"Its" is the possessive form, while "it's" is the contraction of "it is" or "it has." The sentence needs the possessive to modify "policy," so "its" is correct.

Question 17Grammar and Usage

Which sentence maintains logical tense consistency?

  1. She submitted the report after she had reviewed the data. Correct answer.
  2. She had submitted the report after she reviews the data.
  3. She submits the report after she had reviewed the data.
  4. She submitted the report after she reviews the data.

Explanation

When one past action precedes another, the earlier action takes the past perfect "had reviewed." This establishes a clear sequence: review happened before submission. The simple past "submitted" then marks the later action.

Question 18Grammar and Usage

Which sentence correctly uses a comma with a nonessential appositive?

  1. My colleague a talented editor revised the draft.
  2. My colleague, a talented editor, revised the draft. Correct answer.
  3. My colleague, a talented editor revised the draft.
  4. My colleague a talented editor, revised the draft.

Explanation

A nonessential appositive renames a noun and must be enclosed by commas on both sides. "A talented editor" adds information about the already-identified colleague, so paired commas are required.

Question 19Grammar and Usage

Which sentence correctly forms the comparative and superlative of an adjective?

  1. This is the most unique solution of the three.
  2. This is the more effective of all three solutions.
  3. This is the uniquest solution of the three.
  4. This is the most effective solution of the three. Correct answer.

Explanation

Multi-syllable adjectives such as "effective" form the superlative with "most." The sentence compares three items, so the superlative is appropriate. Absolute adjectives like "unique" should not take comparative or superlative forms.

Question 20Grammar and Usage

Which sentence correctly uses a conjunctive adverb to join two independent clauses?

  1. The data was incomplete, however the analyst proceeded.
  2. The data was incomplete, however; the analyst proceeded.
  3. The data was incomplete; however, the analyst proceeded. Correct answer.
  4. The data was incomplete however; the analyst proceeded.

Explanation

A conjunctive adverb joining two independent clauses takes a semicolon before it and a comma after it. This punctuation separates the clauses while signaling the logical relationship expressed by "however."

Question 21Grammar and Usage

In the sentence "Had the committee approved the budget, the project would have begun on time," how is the first clause best described?

  1. An inverted conditional clause expressing an unreal past condition Correct answer.
  2. A declarative clause stating a completed fact
  3. A relative clause modifying "project"
  4. An imperative clause issuing a command

Explanation

The clause omits "if" and inverts subject and auxiliary ("Had the committee approved"), a formal way to express a contrary-to-fact condition in the past. The main clause's "would have begun" confirms the unreal conditional structure.

Question 22Grammar and Usage

Which sentence avoids a misplaced modifier?

  1. The instructor explained the theory that had confused them to the students.
  2. The instructor explained to the students the theory that had confused them. Correct answer.
  3. The instructor explained the theory to the students, that had confused them.
  4. The instructor explained the theory to the students that had confused them.

Explanation

The relative clause "that had confused them" should sit next to the noun it modifies, "theory." Placing it immediately after "theory" removes the ambiguity about whether the students or the theory caused confusion.

Question 23Grammar and Usage

Which sentence uses the passive voice most appropriately for its rhetorical purpose?

  1. The auditor, examining the records, found discrepancies.
  2. The auditor examined the records and found discrepancies.
  3. The records were examined, and discrepancies were discovered. Correct answer.
  4. The records were examined, and discrepancies were found by the auditor.

Explanation

The passive is appropriate when the actor is unknown, unimportant, or deliberately de-emphasized. Here the focus is on the records and the discrepancies rather than on who did the examining, so the passive serves the emphasis. The other passive option adds a needless "by" phrase.

Question 24Grammar and Usage

Which sentence correctly uses a restrictive clause without commas?

  1. Employees, who submit timesheets late, must notify their supervisors.
  2. Employees, who submit timesheets late must notify their supervisors.
  3. Employees who submit timesheets late must notify their supervisors. Correct answer.
  4. Employees who submit timesheets late, must notify their supervisors.

Explanation

A restrictive clause identifies which employees are meant and is not set off by commas. Because only late submitters must notify supervisors, the clause is essential and should remain unpunctuated.

Question 25Grammar and Usage

Which sentence demonstrates correct use of the objective case in a compound object?

  1. The director invited I and my colleague to the briefing.
  2. The director invited my colleague and myself to the briefing.
  3. The director invited my colleague and me to the briefing. Correct answer.
  4. The director invited my colleague and I to the briefing.

Explanation

"Invited" takes a direct object, and both parts of a compound object must be in the objective case. "Me" is correct; the test is to drop the colleague and check whether "invited me" sounds right.

Question 26Grammar and Usage

A writer edits the sentence "The report, which was submitted late, was still accepted" to "The report that was submitted late was still accepted." How does the meaning change?

  1. The sentence becomes ungrammatical because "that" cannot follow a noun.
  2. The sentence now suggests the report was rejected rather than accepted.
  3. The clause now identifies which report is meant, implying other reports exist. Correct answer.
  4. The clause now adds nonessential information about a report already identified.

Explanation

A restrictive clause introduced by "that" narrows the noun it modifies, signaling that only the late report (not some other report) was accepted. The original "which" clause was nonessential and merely commented on an already identified report.

Question 27Grammar and Usage

Which sentence uses a semicolon correctly to separate two independent clauses?

  1. The storm knocked out the power; and the backup generator started within seconds.
  2. The storm knocked out the power; the backup generator started within seconds. Correct answer.
  3. The storm knocked out the power; which started the backup generator within seconds.
  4. The storm knocked out the power; starting the backup generator within seconds.

Explanation

A semicolon may join two independent clauses that are closely related without a coordinating conjunction. Each side of the semicolon in the correct option can stand alone as a complete sentence.

Question 28Grammar and Usage

In the sentence "The scientist who discovered the vaccine won a prize," the underlined clause functions in which way?

  1. As a nonrestrictive clause that could be removed without loss
  2. As a noun clause serving as the subject
  3. As a restrictive relative clause essential to identifying the scientist Correct answer.
  4. As an adverbial clause modifying "won"

Explanation

The clause "who discovered the vaccine" restricts the noun "scientist," telling the reader which scientist is meant, and it takes no commas. Removing it would leave an incomplete identification.

Question 29Grammar and Usage

Which sentence correctly uses "who" rather than "whom"?

  1. The candidate who the board selected him will begin Monday.
  2. The candidate who the board selected will begin Monday. Correct answer.
  3. The candidate whom will begin Monday was selected by the board.
  4. The candidate whom the board selected will begin Monday.

Explanation

In informal edited English, "who" is acceptable as the subject of the relative clause even when the clause's object function is only implied; here the writer treats "who" as the clause subject in a reduced structure. The other options either misuse case or add a redundant pronoun.

Question 30Grammar and Usage

Which sentence uses the comma correctly in a compound sentence?

  1. She drafted the memo and her colleague proofread it, before lunch.
  2. She drafted the memo, and her colleague proofread it before lunch. Correct answer.
  3. She drafted the memo, her colleague proofread it before lunch.
  4. She drafted the memo and, her colleague proofread it before lunch.

Explanation

A comma precedes the coordinating conjunction when it joins two independent clauses. Only the correct option places the comma before "and" and keeps the conjunction in its proper position.

Question 31Grammar and Usage

Which sentence uses the colon correctly?

  1. The committee reached one conclusion: the deadline could not be met. Correct answer.
  2. The committee reached one conclusion, the deadline: could not be met.
  3. The committee reached one conclusion: and the deadline could not be met.
  4. The committee reached: one conclusion the deadline could not be met.

Explanation

A colon follows a complete independent clause and introduces an explanation or amplification. The correct option places the colon after a full clause and before the clarifying statement.

Question 32Grammar and Usage

Which sentence maintains consistent pronoun person throughout?

  1. When students study regularly, one retains more information.
  2. When students study regularly, they retain more information. Correct answer.
  3. When a student studies regularly, they retains more information.
  4. When students study regularly, you retain more information.

Explanation

Pronoun person must stay consistent with its antecedent. "Students" (third-person plural) pairs with "they," keeping the sentence in a single grammatical person.

Question 33Grammar and Usage

Which sentence uses the apostrophe correctly to show joint ownership?

  1. That is Maya and Jordan's studio. Correct answer.
  2. That is Maya's and Jordan's studio.
  3. That is Maya and Jordans' studio.
  4. That is Maya's and Jordan studio.

Explanation

When two people jointly own something, the possessive ending attaches only to the second name. "Maya and Jordan's studio" signals one shared studio.

Question 34Grammar and Usage

Which sentence avoids a dangling modifier?

  1. After finishing the experiment, it was time to publish findings.
  2. After finishing the experiment, the researchers published their findings. Correct answer.
  3. After finishing the experiment, publication of the findings occurred.
  4. After finishing the experiment, the findings were published.

Explanation

An introductory participial phrase must modify the subject of the main clause. Only the correct option makes "the researchers" the subject, so they are the ones who finished the experiment.

Question 35Grammar and Usage

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

  1. The new policy produced fewer complaints and less confusion. Correct answer.
  2. The new policy produced less complaints and less confusion.
  3. The new policy produced fewer complaints and fewer confusion.
  4. The new policy produced less complaints and fewer confusion.

Explanation

"Fewer" modifies countable plural nouns such as "complaints," while "less" modifies mass nouns such as "confusion." The correct option applies each to the appropriate noun type.

Question 36Grammar and Usage

Which sentence correctly uses an infinitive phrase as the subject?

  1. To revise the entire manuscript in one week seemed impossible. Correct answer.
  2. To revise the entire manuscript in one week it seemed impossible.
  3. Revising the entire manuscript in one week seemed impossible to do it.
  4. The revising the entire manuscript in one week seemed impossible.

Explanation

An infinitive phrase ("To revise the entire manuscript in one week") can serve as the subject of a sentence. The correct option uses it cleanly with the verb "seemed" and no redundant pronoun.

Question 37Grammar and Usage

Which sentence uses a coordinating conjunction to fix a run-on?

  1. The deadline was tight; so the team worked through the weekend.
  2. The deadline was tight, so the team worked through the weekend. Correct answer.
  3. The deadline was tight, the team worked through the weekend.
  4. The deadline was tight the team worked through the weekend.

Explanation

A comma plus a coordinating conjunction ("so") correctly joins two independent clauses. This avoids both the comma splice and the fused sentence.

Question 38Grammar and Usage

Which sentence uses the past perfect tense correctly?

  1. By the time the auditor arrived, the staff had already closed the accounts. Correct answer.
  2. By the time the auditor arrived, the staff has already closed the accounts.
  3. By the time the auditor arrived, the staff already closed the accounts.
  4. By the time the auditor arrived, the staff had already close the accounts.

Explanation

The past perfect ("had closed") marks an action completed before another past action ("arrived"). It establishes the correct sequence of events.

Question 39Grammar and Usage

In the sentence "The committee, having reviewed all the evidence, issued its ruling," the phrase "having reviewed all the evidence" functions as which element?

  1. A participial phrase modifying "the committee" Correct answer.
  2. A prepositional phrase modifying "ruling"
  3. An absolute phrase modifying the whole sentence
  4. A gerund phrase acting as the subject

Explanation

The perfect participial phrase "having reviewed all the evidence" describes the committee, the subject of the main clause. It is set off by commas because it is a nonessential modifier.

Question 40Grammar and Usage

Which sentence correctly uses "between" and "among"?

  1. The prize was divided between the three winners, who had agreed among themselves on a split.
  2. The prize was divided between the three winners, who had agreed between themselves on a split.
  3. The prize was divided among the three winners, who had agreed among themselves on a split.
  4. The prize was divided among the three winners, who had agreed between themselves on a split. Correct answer.

Explanation

"Between" is used for two parties or for reciprocal relations, while "among" is used for three or more. The correct option pairs "among" with three winners for distribution and "between" for the two-way agreement.

Question 41Grammar and Usage

Which sentence correctly uses an adjective clause with a relative pronoun as its object?

  1. The book that she recommended was out of print. Correct answer.
  2. The book who she recommended was out of print.
  3. The book that she recommended was out of print it.
  4. The book that she recommended it was out of print.

Explanation

In the relative clause "that she recommended," the relative pronoun "that" serves as the object of "recommended." No additional object pronoun is needed.

Question 42Grammar and Usage

Which sentence uses a gerund phrase correctly as a direct object?

  1. She enjoys to hike the coastal trails on weekends.
  2. She enjoys hike the coastal trails on weekends.
  3. She enjoys hiking the coastal trails on weekends. Correct answer.
  4. She enjoys hiked the coastal trails on weekends.

Explanation

The verb "enjoy" takes a gerund ("hiking") as its object rather than an infinitive. The gerund phrase "hiking the coastal trails on weekends" is the direct object.

Question 43Grammar and Usage

Which sentence uses an adverb correctly to modify an adjective?

  1. The remarkable thorough audit uncovered several errors.
  2. The remarkably thorough audit uncovered several errors. Correct answer.
  3. The remarkable thoroughly audit uncovered several errors.
  4. The remarkably thoroughness audit uncovered several errors.

Explanation

An adverb such as "remarkably" modifies the adjective "thorough." Adjectives modify nouns, not other adjectives, so the adverb form is required here.

Question 44Grammar and Usage

Which sentence uses a nominative absolute construction correctly?

  1. The meeting having ended, the staff returned to their desks. Correct answer.
  2. The meeting having ended the staff returned to their desks.
  3. The meeting having ended, so the staff returned to their desks.
  4. The meeting having ended, and the staff returned to their desks.

Explanation

A nominative absolute consists of a noun plus a participle ("The meeting having ended") that modifies the whole main clause and is set off by a comma. No conjunction is needed.

Question 45Grammar and Usage

Which sentence correctly handles subject-verb agreement with a collective noun?

  1. The jury have reached their verdict after three days.
  2. The jury has reached their verdict after three days.
  3. The jury have reached its verdict after three days.
  4. The jury has reached its verdict after three days. Correct answer.

Explanation

When a collective noun acts as a single unit, it takes a singular verb and singular pronoun. "The jury has reached its verdict" treats the group as one body.

Question 46Grammar and Usage

Which sentence uses an elliptical construction correctly?

  1. She can solve the problem faster than him solves.
  2. She can solve the problem faster than him can.
  3. She can solve the problem faster than he can. Correct answer.
  4. She can solve the problem faster than he.

Explanation

In an elliptical comparison, the helping verb is retained to complete the clause ("than he can"). This makes clear that "he" is the subject of the understood verb.

Question 47Grammar and Usage

Which sentence uses "lie" and "lay" correctly?

  1. She decided to lie down after lying the files on the desk.
  2. She decided to lie down after laying the files on the desk. Correct answer.
  3. She decided to lay down after lying the files on the desk.
  4. She decided to lay down after laying the files on the desk.

Explanation

"Lie" is intransitive (to recline), while "lay" is transitive (to place something). The correct option uses "lie down" for reclining and "laying" for placing the files.

Question 48Grammar and Usage

Which sentence uses a correlative conjunction with correct parallel structure?

  1. The proposal was not only expensive but impractical also.
  2. The proposal was not only expensive but also impractical. Correct answer.
  3. The proposal not only was expensive but also impractical.
  4. The proposal was not only expensive but also it was impractical.

Explanation

Correlative conjunctions must join grammatically parallel elements. "Not only expensive but also impractical" pairs two adjectives in balanced form.

Question 49Grammar and Usage

Which sentence correctly uses the possessive form of a compound noun?

  1. My mother-in-laws' recipe is a family favorite.
  2. My mother's-in-law recipe is a family favorite.
  3. My mother-in-law's recipe is a family favorite. Correct answer.
  4. My mother-in-law recipe is a family favorite.

Explanation

For a compound noun, the possessive "'s" attaches to the final element of the compound ("mother-in-law's"). The apostrophe does not interrupt the hyphenated unit.

Question 50Grammar and Usage

Which sentence uses "that" and "which" according to the restrictive/nonrestrictive distinction in edited American English?

  1. The proposal, that the board approved, will take effect in June.
  2. The proposal which the board approved will take effect in June.
  3. The proposal that the board approved will take effect in June. Correct answer.
  4. The proposal, which the board approved will take effect in June.

Explanation

In edited American English, "that" introduces restrictive clauses without commas, while "which" introduces nonrestrictive clauses set off by commas. The correct option uses "that" with no commas for an essential clause.