oDesk U.S. English Basic Skills 

Test Answers 2014 (Updated)

This test is about 40 multiple choice questions and should take less than 40 minutes to complete

Test Contents

• Punctuation
• Sentence Structure
• Pronouns
• Indirect Speech
• ARTICLES AND CONJUNCTIONS
• PREPOSITIONAL PHRASES
• ADJECTIVES AND ADVERBS
• VERBS AND VERB TENSES
• WORD ORDER

Question:-  Choose the series of prepositions that best completes the following sentence.
Charlotte knew ________ the secret investigation ________ her past, but she closed her eyes to it and pretended it happening.
Answer:- a. of, about

Question:-  Choose the series of adjectives and adverbs that best completes the following sentence.
I think Pamela deserves to be punished for her________stupid and________behavior.
Answer: b. totally, irresponsible

Question:-  Which of the following sentences punctuated correctly?
Answer:- b. We are expecting a hurricane this afternoon, therefore we have closed the school early.

Question:-  Choose the series of adjectives and adverbs that best completes the following sentence.
While __________ of our relatives live on the __________ hill in the county, __________ of our friends live in the __________ __________ areas of the valley.
Answer:- b.     most, windier, more, most, protective
Answer:- c.     many, windiest, most, more, protected


Question:-  Choose the series of pronouns that best completes the following sentence.
Don't ________ think Larry should call ________ wife if ________ is going to be late for dinner?
Answer:- a.     you, his, he


Question:-  Rearrange the following words to create the most logical and grammatically correct sentence.
days . for last has good weather few The been the not
Answer:- d.         The weather has not been good for the last few days.

Question:-  Choose the series of adjectives and adverbs that best completes the following sentence. Knowing that February was the___________month of the year, Cheryl planned her vacation____________.
Answer:- b.     shortest, accordingly
Answer:- c.     shorter, according


Question:-  Rearrange the following words to create most logical and grammatically correct sentence.
Answer:- e. Whenever I can’t spend time with my friend, I always speak to him on the phone.

Question:-  Which of the following sentence does NOT illustrates correct verb and tense usage?
Answer:- b. Clarabelle’s mother absolutely hated nicknames and always calls her daughter by her full name.

Question:-  Choose the series of prepositions that best completes the following sentence.
Victor, who stole ____________ ideas and used them to make _________ a millionaire, never once offered ______________ a world of thanks.
Answer:- d. our, himself, us

Question:-  Which of the following sentence uses correct pronoun usage?
Answer:- e. All of the above

Question:-  Choose the series of verbs that best completes the following sentence.
If Harry _____to the party too early, don't let him in; he _____ outside like everyone else.
Answer:- a.     gets, will have to wait


Question:-  Choose the phrase that best completes the sentence below without creating a run-on sentence.
Mr. Peach has sent his four children to Ivy League colleges __________ he has sacrificed his health working day and night in that dusty factory.
Answer:- b.     ; however,

Question:-  Complete the following sentence by choosing the phrase with the best word order from the options given.
Those who are not wise ____________  .
Answer:- a.     do not need be necessarily stupid

Question:-  Which of the following sentences illustrates correct pronoun usage?
Answer:- e (None of the above)

Question:-  Complete the following sentences by choosing the phrase with the best word order from the option given.
Only after they had completed an exhaustive study ________ how to adapt the technology to the needs of our company.
Answer:- c (they did begin to understand)

Question:-  Which of the following sentences illustrates the proper use of commas?
Answer:- e (a and b)

Question:-  Which of the following sentence illustrates correct pronoun usage?
Answer:- e. None of the above

Question:-  Choose the series of prepositions that best completes the following sentence.
________ is the name of the opera, and ________ role did you say Maria would play?
Answer:- c.     What, which

Question:-  Choose the series of prepositions that best completes the following sentence.
The deer ran quickly ______  the trees, its hooves pounding ______  the forest floor.
Answer:- a.     amid, from

Question:-  Choose the series of prepositions that best completes the following sentence.
Jeremy drove his motorcycle _______ the bridge, _______ the hill, and _______ the diner before finally parking it _______ two police cars.
Answer:- c. across, down, past, between


Question:-  Choose the series of prepositions that best completes the following sentence.
Jack, leaning casually ________ the tree, watched as Sally walked slowly ________ him.
Answer:- a.) against, towards
Answer:- c.) upon, past

Question:-  Choose the series of prepositions that best completes the following sentence.
Although the issue was very serious, the committee disposed ______ it in a few minutes and moved _______ to other business.
Answer:- b.     of, away


Question:-  Choose the series of pronouns that best completes the following sentence.
That house used to be ______ , but ______ have given it to ______.
Answer:- c.     mine, I, her

Question:-  Choose the series of adjectives and adverbs that best completes the following sentence.
Of the two books, Sam’s is definitely the __________ ; however, even though Sandra’s didn’t turn out as __________ as expected, she still did a __________ job of writing it.
Answer:- a.         better, well, good


Question:-  Choose the series of adjectives and adverbs that best completes the following sentence.
The helium _______ balloon rose ________ into the air; the villagers knew then their _______ leader was off on another mission.
Answer:- c (powered, powerfully, powerful)

Question:-  Rearrange the following words to create most logical and grammatically correct sentence.
your company name? of what the is
Answer:- c.     What is the name of your company?

Question:-  Rearrange the following words to create most logical and grammatically correct sentence.
Sleeping likes the Midday Katie until on weekends
Answer:- e. Katie likes sleeping until midday on the weekends.

Question:-  Read the following question and choose the response that uses the correct corresponding verb tense.
Does Jack wear that furry hat often?
Answer:- d.         No, he only wears it when his ears are cold.

Question:-  Read the following question and choose the response that uses the correct corresponding verb tense.
Did you see the show last night?
Answer:- a. No, because by the time I got there all the tickets had already been sold.

Question:-  Read the following question and choose the response that uses the correct corresponding verb tense.
Did you hear the weather report for tomorrow?
Answer:- b. No, I wasn't listening to the radio.

Question:-  Which of the following sentence illustrates correct pronoun usage?
Answer:- e. None of the above

Question:-  Which of the following sentences illustrates proper sentence structure?
Answer:- d. The queen had hardly finished her speech when the people began to disperse.

Question:-  Change the following sentence from a quotation to indirect speech.
Rhonda says, "I get to work early every day."
Answer:- a.     Rhonda says she gets to work early every day.

Question:-  Change the following sentence from a quotation to indirect speech.
Jerry said, “I saw my cousin at the fair.”
Answer:- b.         Jerry said he had seen his cousin at the fair.

Question:-  Change the following sentences from a question to indirect speech.
“I will be moving soon.” said Alma
Answer:- a. Alma said she would be moving soon.

Question:-  Change the following sentence from a quotation to indirect speech.
“I’m not feeling well,” Agatha said.
Answer:- c.     Agatha said she wasn't feeling well.

Question:-  Change the following sentence from a quotation to indirect speech.
“Sharon must go to the bank today.” said Albert.
Answer:- c.     Albert says Sharon must go to the bank today.
Answer:- d.     Albert said Sharon had to go to the bank today.

Question:-  Choose the option that correctly changes the original sentence from active voice to passive voice.
ORIGINAL SENTENCE:
That tall man is carrying a lot of lumber.
REWRITTEN SENTENCES:
Answer:- c. the lumber is carried by the tall man.
Answer:- d. a lot of lumber is being carried by that tall man.

Question:-  Choose the series of verbs that best completes the following sentence.
Everyone ____________too busy cooking and __________ the campsite ____________ the family _________ from the woods.
Answer:- d. was, setting up, to notice, watching

Question:-  Choose the series of verbs that best completes the following sentence.
I find it very hard to remember _____ letters that are entrusted to me. In fact, I remember_____to do so dozens of times!
Answer:- d. mailing, forgetting

Question:-  Choose the series of articles and conjunctions that best completes the following sentence.
Lilacs ___________ violets are usually purple; I have seen some _________ are white.
Answer:- b. or, yet, which

Question:-  Which of the following sentences does not illustrates correct pronoun usage?
Ans: e (all are correct)

Question:-  Which of the following sentences illustrates correct usage of articles and conjunctions?
Answer:- a.         Celine lives on Arthur Street; however, she works on Beatrice Boulevard.

Question:-  Choose the series of articles and conjunctions that best completes the following sentence.
_______ she was feeling ill, Teresa wanted to eat only _____ apple _____ some soup.
Answer:- c.     Because, an, or

Question:-  opt for the series of verbs that best completes the subsequent sentences.
If Harry certain to the party too early, don’t let him in; he's outside like everybody else.
Answer:- a.     gets, will have to wait

Question:-  Choose the series of articles and conjunctions that best completes the following sentence.
I think Fran could be _____ great public speaker, ______ she is still too shy to try it.
Answer:- b.     a, but

Question:-  Choose the series of adjectives and adverbs that best completes the following sentence.
We were surprised when the ________ parade ________ turned into a ________ party!
Answer:- a.) dull, suddenly, wild

Question:-  amendment the subsequent sentence from a quotation to indirect speech.
 “It might snow tomorrow,” He said.
Answer:- d (He said it would snow tomorrow.)U.S. English Basic Skills Test Answers 2013-2014

Question:-   Choose the series of prepositions that best completes the following sentence.
Charlotte knew ________ the secret investigation ________ her past, but she closed her eyes to it and pretended it happening.
Answer:- a. of, about

Question:-  Choose the series of adjectives and adverbs that best completes the following sentence.
I think Pamela deserves to be punished for her________stupid and________behavior.
Answer:- b. totally, irresponsible

Question:-  Which of the following sentences punctuated correctly?
a. Tracy bought three suits; seven scarves; and ten pairs of shoes.
Answer:- b. We are expecting a hurricane this afternoon, therefore we have closed the school early.

Question:-  Choose the series of adjectives and adverbs that best completes the following sentence.
While __________ of our relatives live on the __________ hill in the county, __________ of our friends live in the __________ __________ areas of the valley.
Answer:- b.     most, windier, more, most, protective
Answer:- c.     many, windiest, most, more, protected

Question:-  Choose the series of pronouns that best completes the following sentence.
Don't ________ think Larry should call ________ wife if ________ is going to be late for dinner?
Answer:- a.     you, his, he

Question:-  Question 24: Rearrange the following words to create the most logical and grammatically correct sentence.
days . for last has good weather few The been the not
Answer:- d.         The weather has not been good for the last few days.

Question:-  Choose the series of adjectives and adverbs that best completes the following sentence. Knowing that February was the___________month of the year, Cheryl planned her vacation____________.
Answer:- b.     shortest, accordingly
Answer:- c.     shorter, according

Question:-  Rearrange the following words to create most logical and grammatically correct sentence.
Answer:- e. Whenever I can’t spend time with my friend, I always speak to him on the phone.

Question:-  Which of the following sentence does NOT illustrates correct verb and tense usage?
Answer:- b. Clarabelle’s mother absolutely hated nicknames and always calls her daughter by her full name.

Question:-  Choose the series of prepositions that best completes the following sentence.
Victor, who stole ____________ ideas and used them to make _________ a millionaire, never once offered ______________ a world of thanks.
Answer:- d. our, himself, us

Question:-  Which of the following sentence uses correct pronoun usage?
Answer:- e. All of the above

Question:-  Choose the series of verbs that best completes the following sentence.
If Harry _____to the party too early, don't let him in; he _____ outside like everyone else.
Answer:- a.     gets, will have to wait

Question:-  Choose the phrase that best completes the sentence below without creating a run-on sentence.
Mr. Peach has sent his four children to Ivy League colleges __________ he has sacrificed his health working day and night in that dusty factory.
Answer:- b.     ; however,

Question:-  Complete the following sentence by choosing the phrase with the best word order from the options given.
Those who are not wise ____________  .
Answer:- a.     do not need be necessarily stupid

Question:-  Which of the following sentences illustrates correct pronoun usage?
Answer:- e (None of the above)

Question:-  Complete the following sentences by choosing the phrase with the best word order from the option given.
Only after they had completed an exhaustive study ________ how to adapt the technology to the needs of our company.
Answer:- c (they did begin to understand)

Question:-  Which of the following sentences illustrates the proper use of commas?
Answer:- e (a and b)

Question:-  Which of the following sentence illustrates correct pronoun usage?
Answer:- e. None of the above

Question:-  Choose the series of prepositions that best completes the following sentence.
________ is the name of the opera, and ________ role did you say Maria would play?
Answer:- c.     What, which

Question:-  Choose the series of prepositions that best completes the following sentence.
The deer ran quickly ______  the trees, its hooves pounding ______  the forest floor.
Answer:- a.     amid, from

Question:-  Choose the series of prepositions that best completes the following sentence.
Jeremy drove his motorcycle _______ the bridge, _______ the hill, and _______ the diner before finally parking it _______ two police cars.
Answer:- c. across, down, past, between

Question:-  Choose the series of prepositions that best completes the following sentence.
Jack, leaning casually ________ the tree, watched as Sally walked slowly ________ him.
Answer:- a.) against, towards
Answer:- c.) upon, past

Question:-  Choose the series of prepositions that best completes the following sentence.
Although the issue was very serious, the committee disposed ______ it in a few minutes and moved _______ to other business.
Answer:- b.     of, away

Question:-  Choose the series of pronouns that best completes the following sentence.
That house used to be ______ , but ______ have given it to ______.
Answer:- c.     mine, I, her

Question:-  Choose the series of adjectives and adverbs that best completes the following sentence.
Of the two books, Sam’s is definitely the __________ ; however, even though Sandra’s didn’t turn out as __________ as expected, she still did a __________ job of writing it.
Answer:- a.         better, well, good

Question:-  Choose the series of adjectives and adverbs that best completes the following sentence.
The helium _______ balloon rose ________ into the air; the villagers knew then their _______ leader was off on another mission.
Answer:- c (powered, powerfully, powerful)

Question:-  Rearrange the following words to create most logical and grammatically correct sentence.
your company name? of what the is
Answer:- c.     What is the name of your company?

Question:-  Rearrange the following words to create most logical and grammatically correct sentence.
Sleeping likes the Midday Katie until on weekends
Answer:- . Katie likes sleeping until midday on the weekends.

Question:-  Read the following question and choose the response that uses the correct corresponding verb tense.
Does Jack wear that furry hat often?
Answer:- d.         No, he only wears it when his ears are cold.

Question:-  Read the following question and choose the response that uses the correct corresponding verb tense.
Did you see the show last night?
Answer:- a. No, because by the time I got there all the tickets had already been sold.

Question:-  Read the following question and choose the response that uses the correct corresponding verb tense.
Did you hear the weather report for tomorrow?
Answer:- b. No, I wasn't listening to the radio.

Question:-  Which of the following sentence illustrates correct pronoun usage?
Answer:- e. None of the above

Question:-  Which of the following sentences illustrates proper sentence structure?
Answer:- d. The queen had hardly finished her speech when the people began to disperse.

Question:-  Change the following sentence from a quotation to indirect speech.
Rhonda says, "I get to work early every day."
Answer:- a.     Rhonda says she gets to work early every day.


Question:-  Change the following sentence from a quotation to indirect speech.
Jerry said, “I saw my cousin at the fair.”
Answer:- b.         Jerry said he had seen his cousin at the fair.

Question:-  Change the following sentences from a question to indirect speech.
“I will be moving soon.” said Alma
Answer:- a. Alma said she would be moving soon.

Question:-   Change the following sentence from a quotation to indirect speech.
“I’m not feeling well,” Agatha said.
Answer:- c.     Agatha said she wasn't feeling well.

Question:-  Change the following sentence from a quotation to indirect speech.
“Sharon must go to the bank today.” said Albert.
Answer:- c.     Albert says Sharon must go to the bank today.
Answer:- d.     Albert said Sharon had to go to the bank today.

Question:-  Choose the option that correctly changes the original sentence from active voice to passive voice.
ORIGINAL SENTENCE:
That tall man is carrying a lot of lumber.
REWRITTEN SENTENCES:
Answer:- c. the lumber is carried by the tall man.
Answer:- d. a lot of lumber is being carried by that tall man.

Question:-  Choose the series of verbs that best completes the following sentence.
Everyone ____________too busy cooking and __________ the campsite ____________ the family _________ from the woods.
Answer:- d. was, setting up, to notice, watching

Question:-  Choose the series of verbs that best completes the following sentence.
I find it very hard to remember _____ letters that are entrusted to me. In fact, I remember_____to do so dozens of times!
Answer:- d. mailing, forgetting

Question:-  Choose the series of articles and conjunctions that best completes the following sentence.
Lilacs ___________ violets are usually purple; I have seen some _________ are white.
Answer:- b. or, yet, which

Question:-  Which of the following sentences does not illustrates correct pronoun usage?
Answer:- e (all are correct)

Question:-  Which of the following sentences illustrates correct usage of articles and conjunctions?
Answer:- a.         Celine lives on Arthur Street; however, she works on Beatrice Boulevard.

Question:-  Choose the series of articles and conjunctions that best completes the following sentence.
_______ she was feeling ill, Teresa wanted to eat only _____ apple _____ some soup.
Answer:- c.     Because, an, or


Question:-  opt for the series of verbs that best completes the subsequent sentences.
If Harry certain to the party too early, don’t let him in; he's outside like everybody else.
Answer:- a.     gets, will have to wait
Answer:- a (gets, can have to be compelled to wait)

Question:-  Choose the series of articles and conjunctions that best completes the following sentence.
I think Fran could be _____ great public speaker, ______ she is still too shy to try it.
Answer:- b.     a, but


Question:-  Choose the series of adjectives and adverbs that best completes the following sentence.
We were surprised when the ________ parade ________ turned into a ________ party!
Answer:- a.) dull, suddenly, wild

Question:-  amendment the subsequent sentence from a quotation to indirect speech.
 “It might snow tomorrow,” He said.
Answer:- d (He said it would snow tomorrow.)