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TEAS English practice questions

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Question 1Conventions of Standard English

Choose the word or phrase that correctly completes the sentence: The collection of rare coins ___ carefully catalogued by the museum staff last year.

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

Explanation

The subject is the singular noun 'collection,' not the plural noun 'coins' inside the prepositional phrase that follows it. A singular subject takes the singular past-tense verb 'was,' and the time marker 'last year' rules out present-tense forms.

Question 2Conventions of Standard English

Choose the word that correctly completes the sentence: The ___ leash was hanging by the front door.

  1. neighbors
  2. neighbors's
  3. neighbors'
  4. neighbor's Correct answer.

Explanation

A singular owner is shown by adding an apostrophe plus -s, so 'neighbor's' means the leash belonging to one neighbor. A plain plural shows no ownership at all, and a regular plural never takes an extra -'s.

Question 3Conventions of Standard English

Choose the word that correctly completes the sentence: The committee announced ___ final decision on Friday.

  1. its Correct answer.
  2. its's
  3. its'
  4. it's

Explanation

'Its' is the possessive form of 'it' and fits directly before the noun 'decision.' The contraction 'it's' means 'it is,' and possessive pronouns never take an apostrophe.

Question 4Conventions of Standard English

Choose the word that correctly completes the sentence: Marco finished the marathon ___ despite the heat.

  1. quickest
  2. quickly Correct answer.
  3. quick
  4. quickness

Explanation

The blank describes how the verb 'finished' was performed, so an adverb is required. 'Quickly' is the adverb form, while 'quick' is an adjective and 'quickness' is a noun.

Question 5Conventions of Standard English

Choose the word that correctly completes the sentence: Of the three routes to the summit, the eastern trail is the ___.

  1. shorter
  2. most short
  3. short
  4. shortest Correct answer.

Explanation

Comparing three items requires the superlative degree, and most one-syllable adjectives form it with -est. The comparative 'shorter' works only for two items, and 'most short' is not the standard superlative form.

Question 6Conventions of Standard English

Which of these is a complete sentence?

  1. The librarian stamped each book in the stack. Correct answer.
  2. Running through the park at dawn every single day.
  3. Although the weather turned cold by late afternoon.
  4. Because the shuttle arrived late again this morning.

Explanation

A complete sentence needs a subject, a finite verb, and a complete thought. Only the librarian option supplies all three; the others open with a subordinating word or a participle and therefore cannot stand alone.

Question 7Conventions of Standard English

Choose the word that correctly completes the sentence: The students left ___ backpacks in the hallway.

  1. their Correct answer.
  2. there's
  3. there
  4. they're

Explanation

The possessive form 'their' is needed before the noun 'backpacks' to show whose bags they are. 'There' indicates place or introduces a clause, and 'they're' is a contraction of 'they are.'

Question 8Conventions of Standard English

Choose the word that correctly completes the sentence: Neither the manager nor the employees would share ___ plans.

  1. its
  2. his
  3. his or her
  4. their Correct answer.

Explanation

With a 'neither...nor' construction, the pronoun agrees with whichever subject is closer to it. The nearer subject is the plural 'employees,' so the plural possessive 'their' is correct.

Question 9Conventions of Standard English

Choose the word that correctly completes the sentence: The candidate ___ the committee selected will begin next month.

  1. whoever
  2. which
  3. who
  4. whom Correct answer.

Explanation

Within the relative clause, the pronoun is the object of the verb 'selected,' so the objective case 'whom' is required. 'Who' is the subjective form, and 'which' cannot refer to a person.

Question 10Conventions of Standard English

Which sentence is punctuated correctly?

  1. The storm cut the power, and the neighbors shared flashlights. Correct answer.
  2. The storm cut the power, the neighbors shared flashlights.
  3. The storm cut the power and, the neighbors shared flashlights.
  4. The storm cut the power and the neighbors, shared their flashlights.

Explanation

A comma belongs before the coordinating conjunction that links two independent clauses. The comma must not separate the conjunction from its clause or split a verb from its object.

Question 11Conventions of Standard English

Which sentence uses a semicolon correctly?

  1. We hiked to the ridge; a spectacular view.
  2. We hiked to the ridge, the view was spectacular.
  3. We hiked to the ridge; the view was spectacular. Correct answer.
  4. We hiked to the ridge; and the view was spectacular.

Explanation

A semicolon joins two closely related independent clauses that are not linked by a coordinating conjunction. Each side of the semicolon must be able to stand alone as a sentence.

Question 12Conventions of Standard English

Which sentence uses a colon correctly?

  1. She packed three items: a map, a compass, and a water bottle. Correct answer.
  2. She packed a map: a compass, and a water bottle for the hike.
  3. She packed: a map, a compass, and a water bottle for the hike.
  4. She packed a map, a compass, and a water bottle: for the long hike.

Explanation

A colon must follow a complete independent clause and then introduce the list or explanation that follows. It should never separate a verb from its object or interrupt a series.

Question 13Conventions of Standard English

Choose the option that correctly completes the sentence: The position requires candidates who can analyze data, draft reports, and ___.

  1. findings presented
  2. present findings Correct answer.
  3. to present findings
  4. presenting findings

Explanation

Items in a series joined by 'and' must be parallel in grammatical form. The first two items are base-verb phrases, so the third must also be a base-verb phrase.

Question 14Conventions of Standard English

Choose the option that correctly completes the sentence: Walking through the museum, ___.

  1. there were sculptures that impressed Elena.
  2. the sculptures impressed Elena.
  3. Elena was impressed by the sculptures. Correct answer.
  4. the sculptures were impressive to Elena.

Explanation

An introductory participial phrase modifies the subject of the main clause, so that subject must be the one performing the action of walking. Only 'Elena' can walk through a museum.

Question 15Conventions of Standard English

Choose the word that correctly completes the sentence: There were ___ accidents on this highway this year than last year.

  1. less
  2. lesser
  3. fewer Correct answer.
  4. fewest

Explanation

'Accidents' is a plural count noun, so the comparative 'fewer' is required. 'Less' modifies uncountable quantities, and 'fewest' is superlative rather than comparative.

Question 16Conventions of Standard English

Choose the word or phrase that correctly completes the sentence: By the time the guests arrived, the chef ___ the entire meal.

  1. had prepared Correct answer.
  2. has prepared
  3. will have prepared
  4. prepares

Explanation

The past perfect 'had prepared' shows an action completed before another past action, 'arrived.' Shifting to present or future perfect breaks that sequence of events.

Question 17Conventions of Standard English

Which sentence punctuates the quotation correctly?

  1. The instructor said, "Review chapter four tonight." Correct answer.
  2. The instructor said, "review chapter four tonight".
  3. The instructor said "Review chapter four in the textbook tonight."
  4. The instructor said "review chapter four tonight".

Explanation

A comma sets off the speaker's tag from a direct quotation, the quoted sentence begins with a capital letter, and the period stays inside the closing quotation marks.

Question 18Conventions of Standard English

Choose the word that correctly completes the sentence: The new lighting had a noticeable ___ on employee morale.

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

Explanation

'Effect' is the noun meaning a result, which is what the sentence needs after 'a noticeable.' 'Affect' is normally a verb meaning to influence.

Question 19Conventions of Standard English

Choose the word that correctly completes the sentence: Between you and ___, the proposal seems too costly.

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

Explanation

A preposition such as 'between' requires an object pronoun, so the objective form 'me' is correct. 'I' and 'we' are subject forms, and 'myself' is reflexive.

Question 20Conventions of Standard English

Choose the word that correctly completes the sentence: The board recommended that the treasurer ___ the report before the meeting.

  1. will submit
  2. submitted
  3. submits
  4. submit Correct answer.

Explanation

Verbs of recommendation, request, and demand take the subjunctive mood, which uses the base form of the verb regardless of the subject. Adding an -s ending or a tense marker breaks that construction.

Question 21Conventions of Standard English

Which sentence places the modifier 'wrapped in foil' correctly?

  1. The waiter served a sandwich to the woman wrapped in foil.
  2. The waiter, wrapped in foil, served a sandwich to the woman.
  3. Wrapped in foil, the waiter served a sandwich to the woman.
  4. The waiter served a sandwich wrapped in foil to the woman. Correct answer.

Explanation

A participial phrase should sit next to the noun it actually describes. Only one version keeps 'wrapped in foil' clearly attached to the sandwich instead of to the waiter or the woman.

Question 22Conventions of Standard English

Choose the word that correctly completes the sentence: Before the guests arrived, she ___ the tablecloth on the dining table.

  1. lay
  2. lied
  3. laid Correct answer.
  4. lain

Explanation

The verb 'lay' means to place something and takes a direct object; its past tense is 'laid.' 'Lay' and 'lain' are forms of the intransitive verb 'lie,' which cannot take the object 'tablecloth.'

Question 23Conventions of Standard English

Choose the word that correctly completes the sentence: The report, ___ was due on Friday, contained several errors.

  1. it
  2. who
  3. that
  4. which Correct answer.

Explanation

A nonrestrictive clause set off by commas takes 'which,' not 'that,' to refer to a thing. 'Who' refers to people, and 'it' would leave the clause with no connecting word.

Question 24Conventions of Standard English

Choose the word that correctly completes the sentence: The collection of rare coins ___ displayed in the library.

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

Explanation

The subject of the sentence is the singular noun collection, not the plural noun coins in the prepositional phrase. A singular subject takes the singular verb is. The phrases are and have been are plural and do not agree with collection.

Question 25Conventions of Standard English

Choose the word that correctly completes the sentence: ___ going to present the findings at noon.

  1. Their
  2. There
  3. They
  4. They're Correct answer.

Explanation

They're is the contraction of they are, which supplies both the subject and the verb needed before going. Their is a possessive determiner, there indicates place or existence, and they cannot combine with going in this sentence.

Question 26Conventions of Standard English

Choose the option that correctly completes the sentence: The ___ tires were replaced before the long trip.

  1. car's Correct answer.
  2. car
  3. cars
  4. cars'

Explanation

The sentence refers to one car that owns the tires, so the singular possessive car's is required. The apostrophe comes before the s for a singular possessive noun. The forms cars, cars', and car do not correctly show one car possessing tires.

Question 27Conventions of Standard English

Choose the word that correctly completes the sentence: The committee announced ___ final decision on Tuesday.

  1. its Correct answer.
  2. it's
  3. their
  4. its'

Explanation

Its is the possessive form meaning belonging to it, and no apostrophe is used for possessive pronouns. It's means it is, its' is not a standard form, and their is plural and does not match the singular committee acting as one unit.

Question 28Conventions of Standard English

Choose the verb that correctly completes the sentence: Yesterday, the team ___ the final report to the director.

  1. will submit
  2. submits
  3. submitted Correct answer.
  4. submitting

Explanation

The time word Yesterday requires the simple past tense, which is submitted. Submits is present tense, submitting is a participle, and will submit is future tense.

Question 29Conventions of Standard English

Choose the sentence that uses a comma correctly.

  1. The storm knocked out the power, the neighbors shared flashlights.
  2. The storm knocked out the power and the neighbors shared flashlights.
  3. The storm knocked out the power, and the neighbors shared flashlights. Correct answer.
  4. The storm knocked out the power; and the neighbors shared flashlights.

Explanation

A comma is needed before the coordinating conjunction and when it joins two independent clauses. The first option omits the comma, the second creates a comma splice, and the fourth incorrectly places a semicolon before and.

Question 30Conventions of Standard English

Several ___ offices are located on the second floor.

  1. attorney
  2. attorney's
  3. attorneys
  4. attorneys' Correct answer.

Explanation

The sentence refers to more than one attorney owning the offices, so the plural possessive attorneys' is needed. For a plural noun ending in s, the apostrophe follows the s. The other options are singular possessive, plural nonpossessive, or singular nonpossessive.

Question 31Conventions of Standard English

Choose the sentence that uses a hyphen correctly.

  1. The well-known-author signed books for an hour.
  2. The well known-author signed books for an hour.
  3. The well known author signed books for an-hour.
  4. The well-known author signed books for an hour. Correct answer.

Explanation

A hyphen joins the words well and known when they form a compound adjective before the noun author. The other options misplace the hyphen or omit it where the compound modifier requires one.

Question 32Conventions of Standard English

Choose the sentence that uses parentheses correctly.

  1. The new bridge (completed in May) will ease traffic. Correct answer.
  2. The new bridge, (completed in May), will ease traffic.
  3. The new bridge (completed in May will ease traffic.
  4. The new bridge (completed in May), will ease traffic.

Explanation

Parentheses must occur in pairs to enclose the additional information completed in May. No comma should be added before or after the parenthetical phrase when parentheses already set it off. Only the second sentence encloses the phrase with a matching pair of parentheses.

Question 33Conventions of Standard English

Choose the sentence that uses an introductory comma correctly.

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

Explanation

An introductory prepositional phrase is normally followed by a comma before the main clause begins. The comma should come after meeting, not after After. A semicolon is not used between an introductory phrase and its main clause.

Question 34Conventions of Standard English

Choose the word that correctly completes the sentence: The researcher ___ published the study will speak at noon.

  1. who Correct answer.
  2. whose
  3. whom
  4. which

Explanation

Who is the subject of the verb published in the relative clause who published the study. Whom is used for an object, which refers to things rather than people, and whose shows possession.

Question 35Conventions of Standard English

Choose the option that correctly completes the sentence: The retreat schedule includes hiking, swimming, and ___.

  1. to fish
  2. a fishing trip
  3. fish
  4. fishing Correct answer.

Explanation

The items in the list should be parallel, and hiking and swimming are gerunds. Fishing is also a gerund and completes the parallel series. The other options shift to an infinitive, a noun phrase, or a base verb.

Question 36Conventions of Standard English

Choose the sentence that corrects the dangling modifier in this sentence: After finishing the experiment, the results were recorded.

  1. After finishing the experiment, recording the results was next.
  2. Scientists recorded the results after finishing the experiment. Correct answer.
  3. After finishing the experiment, it was time to record results.
  4. After finishing the experiment, the results were recorded.

Explanation

A modifier must clearly describe the noun or pronoun that performs the action. In the original sentence, the results did not finish the experiment, so the modifier dangles. The revised sentence names scientists as the ones who finished the experiment and recorded the results.

Question 37Conventions of Standard English

Choose the word or phrase that correctly completes the sentence: This year's budget was ___ than last year's.

  1. carefully planned
  2. most carefully planned
  3. more carefully planned Correct answer.
  4. more careful planned

Explanation

The word than signals a comparison between two budgets, so the comparative form more carefully planned is required. Most is superlative and compares three or more items. Careful is an adjective, not the adverb needed to modify planned.

Question 38Conventions of Standard English

Choose the word that correctly completes the sentence: The school ___ announced new attendance rules.

  1. principally
  2. principle
  3. principles
  4. principal Correct answer.

Explanation

Principal can be a noun meaning a school leader, which fits the sentence. Principle means a rule or belief, principles is plural, and principally is an adverb.

Question 39Conventions of Standard English

Choose the verb that correctly completes the sentence: Please ___ the documents on the desk before you leave.

  1. laid
  2. lay Correct answer.
  3. lie
  4. lain

Explanation

Lay is the present-tense verb that takes a direct object, and documents is the object being placed on the desk. Lie is intransitive and does not take an object. Laid is past tense, and lain is the past participle of lie.

Question 40Conventions of Standard English

Choose the word that correctly completes the sentence: Each of the machines has ___ own safety switch.

  1. their
  2. they're
  3. it's
  4. its Correct answer.

Explanation

Each is singular, so the singular possessive pronoun its is required. Their is plural, they're means they are, and it's means it is. Only its correctly shows possession for each machine.

Question 41Conventions of Standard English

Choose the word or phrase that correctly completes the sentence: The report was divided into three sections, ___ was written by a different analyst.

  1. each which
  2. each of which Correct answer.
  3. which each
  4. each of them

Explanation

Each of which correctly introduces a relative clause describing the three sections. The phrase each of them would create a comma splice because it begins a new independent clause after the comma. The other options are not standard relative-clause forms.

Question 42Conventions of Standard English

Which sentence correctly sets off a nonessential clause with commas?

  1. The novel which won several awards was adapted into a film.
  2. The novel, which won several awards, was adapted into a film. Correct answer.
  3. The novel which won several awards, was adapted into a film.
  4. The novel, which won several awards was adapted into a film.

Explanation

A nonessential relative clause adds extra information and must be enclosed by commas on both sides. The clause which won several awards is not needed to identify the novel. Only the fourth sentence places commas before and after the entire clause.

Question 43Conventions of Standard English

Choose the word that correctly completes the sentence: If she ___ taller, she would reach the top shelf.

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

Explanation

The sentence describes a contrary-to-fact condition in the present, which uses the subjunctive form were. The form was is not used in this hypothetical construction in formal standard English. Is and be do not fit the conditional structure.

Question 44Conventions of Standard English

Choose the word that correctly completes the sentence: She is one of the analysts who ___ the new system.

  1. has tested
  2. tests
  3. testing
  4. have tested Correct answer.

Explanation

The relative pronoun who refers to analysts, which is plural, so the plural verb have tested is required. The phrase one of the does not make analysts singular inside the relative clause. Has tested and tests are singular, and testing is not a finite verb here.

Question 45Conventions of Standard English

Choose the sentence that correctly punctuates the conjunctive adverb.

  1. The deadline was moved, however, the team continued to work.
  2. The deadline was moved however the team continued to work.
  3. The deadline was moved; however, the team continued to work. Correct answer.
  4. The deadline was moved; however the team continued to work.

Explanation

When however joins two independent clauses, a semicolon comes before it and a comma follows it. The first option lacks punctuation, the second creates a comma splice, and the fourth omits the comma after however.

Question 46Conventions of Standard English

Choose the sentence that uses not only ... but also correctly.

  1. Not only the internship offers experience but also contacts.
  2. The internship offers not only experience but contacts also.
  3. The internship offers not only experience but also contacts. Correct answer.
  4. The internship not only offers experience but also contacts.

Explanation

Not only and but also should introduce parallel grammatical elements. In the correct sentence, both phrases introduce nouns: experience and contacts. The other options misplace the correlative conjunctions or leave one element without a parallel structure.

Question 47Conventions of Standard English

Choose the word that correctly completes the sentence: Neither the supervisor nor the technicians ___ willing to work overtime.

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

Explanation

With a neither ... nor construction, the verb agrees with the nearer subject. The nearer subject is the plural noun technicians, so the plural verb were is required. Was and is are singular, and be is not a finite past-tense verb here.

Question 48Conventions of Standard English

Choose the sentence that uses the apostrophe correctly.

  1. The three students' projects were displayed in the hallway. Correct answer.
  2. The three students project's were displayed in the hallway.
  3. The three students's projects were displayed in the hallway.
  4. The three student's projects were displayed in the hallway.

Explanation

A regular plural noun ending in -s forms the possessive by adding only an apostrophe after the s. Because three students is plural, the possessive is students'. Adding 's to a plural that already ends in s is incorrect.

Question 49Conventions of Standard English

Choose the word that correctly completes the sentence: The committee released ___ final recommendations on Friday.

  1. they're
  2. it's
  3. its Correct answer.
  4. its'

Explanation

Its is the possessive form of it and fits because the sentence shows something belonging to the committee. It's is a contraction of it is or it has, which would make the sentence ungrammatical.

Question 50Conventions of Standard English

Choose the sentence that uses a semicolon correctly.

  1. The storm knocked out power; the roads; were flooded.
  2. The storm knocked out power; the roads were flooded. Correct answer.
  3. The storm knocked out power, the roads were flooded.
  4. The storm knocked out power; and the roads were flooded.

Explanation

A semicolon can join two closely related independent clauses without a coordinating conjunction. Each side of the semicolon here is a complete sentence, and no conjunction is present.