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ACET (Philippines University Entrance Tests) practice questions

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Question 1English

Choose the word that is closest in meaning to 'meticulous'.

  1. Careless
  2. Reluctant
  3. Hasty
  4. Thorough Correct answer.

Explanation

'Meticulous' describes someone who shows great attention to detail and is very careful and precise. 'Thorough' captures this sense of careful completeness. The other options suggest the opposite quality or an unrelated attitude.

Question 2English

Identify the part of speech of the underlined word: 'She sang beautifully at the concert.'

  1. Adjective
  2. Adverb Correct answer.
  3. Noun
  4. Verb

Explanation

The word 'beautifully' modifies the verb 'sang', describing how the action was performed. Words that modify verbs are adverbs, typically formed with '-ly'.

Question 3English

Choose the correctly punctuated sentence.

  1. It's raining so take an umbrella.
  2. Its raining so take, an umbrella.
  3. Its raining, so take an umbrella.
  4. It's raining, so take an umbrella. Correct answer.

Explanation

'It's' is the contraction of 'it is', and a comma should separate two independent clauses joined by the conjunction 'so'. Only the fourth option uses the apostrophe correctly and places the comma properly.

Question 4English

Select the word that best completes the sentence: 'The committee reached a ______ decision, with every member in agreement.'

  1. tentative
  2. unanimous Correct answer.
  3. divided
  4. ambiguous

Explanation

The clause 'with every member in agreement' signals that all members shared the same view. 'Unanimous' means fully agreed by everyone, which matches the context.

Question 5English

Which sentence uses the article correctly?

  1. He is a honest man.
  2. They saw a elephant at the zoo.
  3. I need an hour to finish. Correct answer.
  4. She bought an useful book.

Explanation

The choice between 'a' and 'an' depends on the sound that begins the following word, not the letter. 'Hour' begins with a vowel sound because the 'h' is silent, so 'an hour' is correct.

Question 6English

Choose the correct plural form of 'crisis'.

  1. Crises Correct answer.
  2. Crisises
  3. Crisis
  4. Crisi

Explanation

Words of Greek origin ending in '-is' typically form the plural by changing '-is' to '-es'. Thus 'crisis' becomes 'crises', following the same pattern as 'analysis/analyses'.

Question 7English

Identify the subject of the sentence: 'Near the old bridge stood a lonely house.'

  1. stood
  2. the old bridge
  3. a lonely house Correct answer.
  4. Near

Explanation

In this inverted sentence, the subject comes after the verb. 'Stood' is the verb, and 'a lonely house' is the entity performing the state of standing, making it the subject.

Question 8English

Which word is an antonym of 'transparent'?

  1. Visible
  2. Clear
  3. Opaque Correct answer.
  4. Fragile

Explanation

'Transparent' means allowing light to pass through so objects behind can be seen. Its antonym is 'opaque', which means light cannot pass through.

Question 9English

Choose the option that correctly combines the sentences: 'The train was late. We missed the connection.'

  1. The train was late, so we missed the connection. Correct answer.
  2. The train was late, but we missed the connection.
  3. The train was late although we missed the connection.
  4. The train was late, or we missed the connection.

Explanation

The second event is a result of the first, so a cause-and-effect conjunction such as 'so' is appropriate. 'So' correctly signals that missing the connection followed from the late train.

Question 10English

Select the sentence written in the passive voice.

  1. The chef is preparing a delicious meal.
  2. The chef prepared a delicious meal.
  3. A delicious meal was prepared by the chef. Correct answer.
  4. The chef will prepare a delicious meal.

Explanation

In the passive voice, the object of the action becomes the subject and the verb uses a form of 'be' plus the past participle. 'A delicious meal was prepared by the chef' fits this structure.

Question 11English

Choose the word that best fits: 'Her argument was so ______ that even her critics were persuaded.'

  1. cogent Correct answer.
  2. verbose
  3. obscure
  4. frivolous

Explanation

The context shows the argument persuaded critics, which requires a word meaning clear and convincing. 'Cogent' means compelling and logically convincing, matching the effect described.

Question 12English

Identify the error in the sentence: 'Each of the students have submitted their assignment.'

  1. 'Each' should be 'Every'.
  2. The sentence contains no error.
  3. 'have' should be 'has'. Correct answer.
  4. 'their' should be 'there'.

Explanation

The subject 'each' is singular, so the verb must agree with it in the singular form 'has'. The phrase 'of the students' does not change the number of the subject.

Question 13English

Which sentence uses the semicolon correctly?

  1. I wanted to go; however, I was too tired. Correct answer.
  2. I wanted to go; but I was too tired.
  3. I wanted; to go, but I was too tired.
  4. I wanted to go; and I was too tired.

Explanation

A semicolon can join two independent clauses, often with a conjunctive adverb like 'however' followed by a comma. This option correctly separates two complete clauses with the adverb properly punctuated.

Question 14English

Choose the correct word: 'The medicine had a noticeable ______ on the patient's recovery.'

  1. affective
  2. affect
  3. affection
  4. effect Correct answer.

Explanation

'Effect' is a noun meaning a result or outcome, which fits after the article and adjective. 'Affect' is usually a verb meaning to influence.

Question 15English

What is the function of the underlined clause: 'The book that I borrowed from the library is overdue.'

  1. It is a relative clause modifying 'book'. Correct answer.
  2. It is an adverb clause of time.
  3. It is an independent clause.
  4. It is a noun clause acting as subject.

Explanation

The clause 'that I borrowed from the library' describes and identifies the noun 'book'. Clauses that modify nouns in this way are relative (adjective) clauses.

Question 16English

Choose the sentence that uses the correct comparative form.

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

Explanation

When comparing exactly two things, the comparative form 'shorter' is used, often with 'of the two'. 'Shortest' is the superlative, reserved for three or more items.

Question 17English

Identify the figure of speech: 'The wind whispered through the trees.'

  1. Personification Correct answer.
  2. Metaphor
  3. Simile
  4. Hyperbole

Explanation

Personification gives human qualities to non-human things. Whispering is a human action attributed here to the wind, which fits personification.

Question 18English

Choose the option that best replaces the underlined portion for conciseness: 'Due to the fact that it was raining, the match was cancelled.'

  1. On account of the reason that
  2. In spite of the fact that
  3. Because Correct answer.
  4. At the same time as

Explanation

'Due to the fact that' is a wordy phrase that can be replaced by the single conjunction 'Because' without changing meaning. Concise writing favors the shortest accurate expression.

Question 19English

Select the sentence with correct pronoun case.

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

Explanation

A preposition such as 'between' takes object pronouns, so 'me' is correct rather than the subject pronoun 'I'. 'Between you and me' follows this rule.

Question 20English

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

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

Explanation

With 'neither...nor', the verb agrees with the nearer subject, which is the plural 'employees'. Therefore the plural verb 'were' is required.

Question 21English

Identify the sentence that contains a dangling modifier.

  1. Walking through the park, she admired the flowers.
  2. While she walked through the park, the flowers looked beautiful.
  3. Walking through the park, the flowers looked beautiful. Correct answer.
  4. She admired the flowers while walking through the park.

Explanation

A dangling modifier occurs when the introductory phrase does not logically attach to the subject of the main clause. Here 'walking through the park' seems to modify 'the flowers', which cannot walk.

Question 22English

Choose the option that best expresses the sentence in formal written English: 'The results were kind of surprising to the researchers.'

  1. The results were somewhat surprising to the researchers. Correct answer.
  2. The results were sort of surprising to the researchers.
  3. The results were pretty surprising to the researchers.
  4. The results were kinda surprising to the researchers.

Explanation

Formal writing avoids colloquial hedges like 'kind of', 'sort of', 'kinda', and 'pretty'. 'Somewhat' is a neutral, formal adverb that conveys the same degree of surprise.

Question 23English

Choose the correct completion: 'If I ______ known about the traffic, I would have left earlier.'

  1. have
  2. had Correct answer.
  3. would have
  4. has

Explanation

This is a third conditional sentence describing an unreal past situation. It requires 'had' in the if-clause and 'would have' in the main clause.

Question 24English

Identify the rhetorical device in: 'We must fight poverty, fight ignorance, and fight indifference.'

  1. Oxymoron
  2. Anaphora Correct answer.
  3. Euphemism
  4. Understatement

Explanation

Anaphora is the repetition of a word or phrase at the start of successive clauses for emphasis. Repeating 'fight' at the beginning of each phrase is a clear example.

Question 25English

Select the sentence that is grammatically correct and free of ambiguity.

  1. The meeting, having finished the report, was attended by the manager.
  2. The manager attended the meeting after finishing the report. Correct answer.
  3. Finishing the report, the meeting was attended by the manager.
  4. Having finished the report, the meeting was attended by the manager.

Explanation

This sentence clearly assigns the action of finishing the report to the manager and states the sequence plainly. The other options attach the modifier to the meeting, creating illogical or ambiguous meaning.

Question 26English

Choose the correct spelling of the word meaning 'necessary or relevant to the matter at hand'.

  1. pertinant
  2. pertenent
  3. pertinent Correct answer.
  4. pertenant

Explanation

The standard spelling is 'pertinent', with '-ent' in the second syllable and '-i-' in the first. It derives from the Latin 'pertinere', meaning to pertain.

Question 27English

Choose the word that best completes the sentence: 'The committee reached a ______ decision; no member objected.'

  1. ambiguous
  2. unanimous Correct answer.
  3. reluctant
  4. tentative

Explanation

The clause 'no member objected' signals full agreement, which 'unanimous' expresses. The other choices describe uncertainty, hesitation, or ambiguity, which contradict the second clause.

Question 28English

Identify the adverb in the sentence: 'The team worked quickly to finish the report.'

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

Explanation

An adverb modifies a verb, adjective, or another adverb. Here 'quickly' modifies the verb 'worked', describing how the team worked.

Question 29English

Choose the correct preposition to complete the sentence: 'She has been working here ______ 2019.'

  1. for
  2. from
  3. since Correct answer.
  4. during

Explanation

'Since' is used with a specific point in time to mark the start of an ongoing action. 'For' would require a duration such as 'five years' rather than a starting year.

Question 30English

Identify the type of sentence: 'Although it was raining, the match continued.'

  1. simple
  2. compound-complex
  3. compound
  4. complex Correct answer.

Explanation

A complex sentence contains one independent clause and at least one dependent clause. 'Although it was raining' is a dependent clause, and 'the match continued' is the independent clause.

Question 31English

Choose the correct word: 'The two brothers shared the money ______ themselves.'

  1. amongst
  2. within
  3. among
  4. between Correct answer.

Explanation

'Between' is used for two distinct parties, while 'among' applies to three or more. Since the sentence specifies two brothers, 'between' is correct.

Question 32English

Which word is a synonym of 'meticulous'?

  1. careless
  2. thorough Correct answer.
  3. hasty
  4. vague

Explanation

'Meticulous' describes extreme attention to detail, which matches 'thorough'. The other options describe a lack of care or precision.

Question 33English

Choose the correct form of the verb to complete the sentence: 'By the time we arrived, the film ______ already started.'

  1. has
  2. have
  3. had Correct answer.
  4. having

Explanation

The past perfect 'had started' expresses an action completed before another past action ('we arrived'). The auxiliary must be 'had' to form the past perfect.

Question 34English

Identify the direct object in the sentence: 'The teacher gave the students extra time.'

  1. extra time Correct answer.
  2. The teacher
  3. the students
  4. gave

Explanation

The direct object receives the action of the verb directly. 'Gave' transfers 'extra time' to 'the students', so 'extra time' is the direct object and 'the students' is the indirect object.

Question 35English

Choose the sentence in which the modifier is placed correctly.

  1. Covered in mud, the hikers washed the dog.
  2. The hikers washed the dog covered in mud.
  3. Washing the dog, the mud covered the hikers.
  4. The hikers, covered in mud, washed the dog. Correct answer.

Explanation

A participial phrase should sit next to the noun it describes. In 'The hikers, covered in mud, washed the dog', the phrase clearly modifies 'the hikers'.

Question 36English

Choose the option that correctly completes the sentence in reported speech: She said, 'I will call you tomorrow.' → She said that she ______ call me the next day.

  1. will
  2. would Correct answer.
  3. shall
  4. can

Explanation

In reported speech, 'will' shifts back to 'would' when the reporting verb is in the past. 'Tomorrow' also shifts to 'the next day'.

Question 37English

Choose the correct word: 'The company's profits have ______ steadily over the past decade.'

  1. arose
  2. raised
  3. aroused
  4. risen Correct answer.

Explanation

'Rise' is an intransitive verb meaning to go up, and its past participle is 'risen'. 'Raise' is transitive and requires an object.

Question 38English

Identify the type of clause underlined in meaning: 'What she said surprised everyone.' The clause 'What she said' functions as the ______.

  1. noun clause Correct answer.
  2. adverbial clause
  3. relative clause
  4. adjective clause

Explanation

'What she said' occupies the subject position of the main verb 'surprised', so it functions as a noun clause. Noun clauses can serve as subjects, objects, or complements.

Question 39English

Choose the sentence that uses the apostrophe correctly.

  1. The children's toys were scattered everywhere. Correct answer.
  2. The childrens' toys were scattered everywhere.
  3. The child's toys were scattered everywhere.
  4. The childrens toys' were scattered everywhere.

Explanation

'Children' is an irregular plural that does not end in 's', so the possessive is formed by adding apostrophe + s: 'children's'. Regular plurals ending in 's' take only the apostrophe.

Question 40English

Choose the word that best fits: 'The professor's lecture was so ______ that many students struggled to follow the argument.'

  1. eloquent
  2. succinct
  3. lucid
  4. abstruse Correct answer.

Explanation

The clause 'struggled to follow' signals that the lecture was difficult to understand. 'Abstruse' means hard to comprehend, which fits.

Question 41English

Choose the sentence that correctly uses the colon.

  1. She packed three items: a map, a compass, and a torch. Correct answer.
  2. She packed three items; a map: a compass and a torch.
  3. She packed three items, a map: a compass and a torch.
  4. She packed: three items, a map, a compass, and a torch.

Explanation

A colon introduces a list or explanation after an independent clause. Here the clause 'She packed three items' is complete, and the colon introduces the list that follows.

Question 42English

Choose the option that correctly completes the sentence: 'Hardly ______ the meeting begun when the fire alarm rang.'

  1. has
  2. had Correct answer.
  3. have
  4. having

Explanation

When a sentence begins with the negative adverb 'hardly', the auxiliary is inverted with the subject, and the past perfect 'had' is needed for an action preceding another past event.

Question 43English

Identify the type of conditional in the sentence: 'Had I studied harder, I would have passed the exam.'

  1. third conditional Correct answer.
  2. zero conditional
  3. second conditional
  4. first conditional

Explanation

The third conditional describes an unreal past situation using 'had + past participle' in the condition and 'would have + past participle' in the result. This sentence fits that pattern exactly.

Question 44English

Choose the sentence that correctly uses a subjunctive mood.

  1. The board insisted that the report is submitted by Friday.
  2. The board insisted that the report was submitted by Friday.
  3. The board insisted that the report be submitted by Friday. Correct answer.
  4. The board insisted that the report will be submitted by Friday.

Explanation

Verbs of demand or insistence such as 'insist' trigger the mandative subjunctive, which uses the base form 'be' regardless of subject or tense. This expresses a required action rather than a stated fact.

Question 45English

Choose the word that best fits: 'The critic's review was ______, praising every aspect of the novel without reservation.'

  1. caustic
  2. terse
  3. lukewarm
  4. effusive Correct answer.

Explanation

The clause 'praising every aspect without reservation' signals unrestrained enthusiasm. 'Effusive' means expressing feelings in an unrestrained way, which matches the praise.

Question 46English

Choose the option that best corrects the faulty parallelism: 'The job requires patience, accuracy, and being able to work under pressure.'

  1. patience, being accurate, and working under pressure
  2. patience, accuracy, and able to work under pressure
  3. patience, accuracy, and the ability to work under pressure Correct answer.
  4. patience, accuracy, and working under pressure ably

Explanation

Items in a series should share the same grammatical form. 'Patience' and 'accuracy' are nouns, so the third item should also be a noun phrase: 'the ability to work under pressure'.

Question 47English

Choose the sentence that is grammatically correct and free of ambiguity.

  1. Walking to the store, the rain soaked my coat through.
  2. Walking to the store, the rain soaked my coat.
  3. Walking to the store, my coat got soaked by the rain.
  4. Walking to the store, I was soaked by the rain. Correct answer.

Explanation

The opening participial phrase 'Walking to the store' must modify the subject of the main clause. Only in 'I was soaked by the rain' does the subject 'I' logically perform the walking.

Question 48English

Choose the option that best expresses the sentence concisely: 'In the event that the weather should happen to deteriorate, the event will be cancelled.'

  1. The event, if the weather deteriorates, will be cancelled by them.
  2. If the weather deteriorates, the event will be cancelled. Correct answer.
  3. Should it happen that the weather deteriorates, the event will be cancelled.
  4. In the event the weather deteriorates, the event will be cancelled.

Explanation

'In the event that' and 'should happen to' are wordy substitutes for the simple conditional 'if'. The concise version preserves the meaning with the fewest words.

Question 49English

Identify the figure of speech in: 'The pen is mightier than the sword.'

  1. simile
  2. personification
  3. hyperbole
  4. metonymy Correct answer.

Explanation

Metonymy substitutes a related object for the thing it represents: 'pen' stands for writing or ideas, and 'sword' stands for military force. No explicit comparison word like 'like' or 'as' is used.

Question 50English

Choose the word that best fits: 'The witness's account was so ______ that the jury found it impossible to doubt her honesty.'

  1. credulous
  2. credible Correct answer.
  3. creditable
  4. incredible

Explanation

'Credible' means believable or convincing, which is exactly what makes a jury unable to doubt a witness. 'Credulous' describes a person who is too ready to believe things, and 'incredible' means the opposite of believable. 'Creditable' means deserving praise, which does not fit a statement's believability.