ENGLISH

Exam No. 1
Name: ____________________________________ Date: ________________
Score: ________________

Identifying Errors (30 questions for 30 minutes)

Direction: Parts of the following sentences are underlined. These parts may be correct or incorrect. If a
sentence has an incorrect part, encircle the letter that corresponds to the incorrect part. If there are no errors,
encircle the letter E. Don’t cheat.

1.If anyone believes in the organization, then they should join. No error
A B C D E
2. Natural gas often occur together with petroleum in the minute pores of rocks such as sandstone and
A B C D
limestone. No error
E
3. The child felt very bad when his teacher criticized him before the entire class. No error
A B C D E
4. No one except he knew of the ice cream parlor around the corner. No error
A B C D E
5. The audible range of frequencies for human beings usually lies among 20 and 20 000 Hz. No error
A B C D E
6. The florist asked three of us, Jalem, Hamid and I, to carry the plants down to the loading dock. No error
A B C D E
7. De La Salle University, along with several other private universities, are going to sponsor the conference.
A B C D
No error
E
8. Encyclopedia book is interesting, informative and it is easy to read. No error
A B C D E
9. He will give the message to whoever opens the door. No error
A B C D E
10. There is no surgeons in the hospital. No error
A BC D E
11. If biennials were planted this year, they will be likely to bloom next year. No error
A B C D E
12. The constant rise of prices and wages bring about inflation. No error
A B C D E
13. “Sorry I cannot written to you for such a long time.” No error
A B C D E
14. Brain waves patterns vary among different people and in different activities. No error
A B C D E
15. Having studied your report carefully, I am convinced that neither of your solutions are correct. No error
A B C D E
16. Amina borrowed a dress from Saliha, who she adores. No error
A B C D E

17. Snails produce a colorless, sticky discharge that forms a protective carpet under them as their travel along.
A B C D
No error
E
18. Everybody was up early on Monday because our local store was having it’s annual sale. No error
A B C D E
19. Shahid’s thumb is as wide as Junaid. No error
AB C D E

20. If I have to make a choice between Ader, Javer and him, I think I’ll select Ader because of his self-control
 A B C
during moments of stress. No error
D E
21. If I was you, I should be carefully of who my friends are. No error
A B C D E
22. Jordan is one of the few athletes who does not eat beef. No error
A B C D E
23. Diligence and honesty as well as being intelligent are qualities which I look for when I evaluate students.
A B C D
No error
E
24. Although his story had aspects of truth about it, I couldn’t hardly believe what he said. No error
A B C D E
25. During the test, I wondered if their was any answer to the problem. No error
A B C D E
26. Badawie claims that, in his opinion, neither the boys nor I are to blame. No error
A B C D E
27. The soprano alleged that the dampness in the concert hall caused her to sing terrible. No error
A B C D E
28. That pile of papers is to be file in the cabinet. No error
A B C D E
29.Wilson, who I never thought was even in the running, not only won handily but also broke a record. No error
A B C D E
30. The newspaper reported that the cost of gasoline is raising again. No error
A B C D E

I. VOCABULARY

Direction: Choose the word that means the same, or most nearly the same, as the underlined word or words and write
your answers on the spaces provided.

. . 1. Maria was too obstinate to admit she had been wrong.

a. stubborn c. frightened
b. selfish d. cautious
. . 2. I knew the teacher would discipline me for my actions.
a. reward c. reprove
b. congratulate d. punish
. . 3. Lea’s writing ability has been obscured by her other accomplishments.
a. revealed c. hidden
b. exposed d. popularized
. . 4. Before taking such test, one had better brush up on his or her vocabulary
a. outline c. translate
b. revise d.review
. . 5. To everyone but the expert, the sculptor’s defects were invisible
a. unable to be heard c. unable to be understood
b. unable to be seen d. unable to be touched
. . 6. The boy groped for the light’s switch.
a. reached confidently c. searched blindly
b. stretched up d. listened attentively
. . 7. The client handed the lawyer his fee.
a. medicine c. money
b. bag d. instrument
. . 8. The driver tried to avert the accident by swerving the car to the right.
a. cause c. control
b. minimize d. prevent
. . 9. The warmth of the room made the audience doze.
a. yawn widely c. fall asleep
b. sweat profusely d. faint
. . 10. When they heard the news, they were overcome with grief.
a. sorrow c. terror
b. rage d. emotion
II. READING COMPREHENSION

Directions: Read the passage below and answer the questions that follow. Encircle the best answer.

Almost unnoticed, scientists are reconstructing the world of plants. A new technique using colchicine, a poisonous
drug, has allowed scientists to remodel many kinds of flowers, fruits, vegetables, and trees, creating new varieties with
unexpected frequency. Even plants native to other countries are used to obtain the desired effects.

1. The title that best fits this passage is

a. Concern for Plant Life c. Dangers in Plant Drugs
b. Reconstructing Plant Life d. Renewing the Earth
2. One can conclude from this passage that
a. the remodelling of plants is the controversial activity
b. the creation of new varieties of plants rarely happens
c. the new strains of plants that are produced are often better in some way

III. AGREEMENT
Directions: Encircle the correct answer.

Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement
Abdul, my cousin’s only son is a student of Mindanao State University. In this school, he is taking a course that
may someday bring 1. (a. he b. him c. his d. them) to other places of the globe. Motivated by 2. (a. its b. him
c.their d. his) father, a local farmer, he is determined to prove to 3. (a. himself b. his self c. itself d. themselves)
that in a span of four years, he can be called a successful young professional.
One schoolmate close to Abdul is petite, brainy, and brown-complexioned lady named Kristina Camilla. Drawn to
Abdul’s company through 4. (a. theirs b. his c. their d. her) interactive school activities, the young lady has
developed closeness with 5. (a. them b. her c. his d. him).
KC, the name fondly calls her takes pride in relating with his future plans in life. The truth is, it’s not 6.( a. she
b.her c. he d. his) who finds Abdul as a nice person to be with, but also others who have been mingling with him. KC
as well as the other people close to Abdul knows every well that 7. (a. they b. he c.she d. it) has to be real or genuine
to be able to enjoy 8. (a. his b. her c. their d. its) relationship with 9. (a. him b. her c. it d. them)
What is friendship? I often ask 10. (a.it b. them c. these d. this) question to people. For me, friendship is this
loving and respectful relationship between one and another.

(Source: Final departmental Exam of the Department of English, CSSH, MSU-main)

Subject-Verb Agreement

Television shows 1. (a. is b. are. c. have) expensive to produce. The production costs show meticulously
2.(a.are b. is c. have) extremely high due to many production variables. The television equipment alone 3. (a. are
b.have c.is) very expensive and must be maintained expensively for optimum life service. The sets for the complete
high-tech stage 4. (a. command b. commands c. have commanded) high budgets. The performers 5. (a. are b. have
c.is) paid very large salaries for their talents and mass appeals. A very large budget 6. (a. are b. have c. is) also set
aside for directors, cameramen, musicians, planners, writers, editors, coordinators, agents, talents, scouts, designers, and
other technical people who 7. (a. is b. are c. have) customarily behind the curtain. The stations still 8. (a. pay b. pays
c.have paid) large amounts of money for promotion and rights to broadcast. All these high costs 9. (a. have required
b.require c. requires) the stations to gather as much capital for every single show that they 10. (a. have dreamed
b.dreams c. dream) would be popular enough to gain the most income in the endeavour.

(Source: Agalabia, U.F. et.al. (2004). College freshman English. Espana, Manila: UST Publishing House.)

CORRECT USAGE

Direction: You are given two choices (a,b) for each sentence. Choose the word that correctly completes the following
sentences. Write your answer on the spaces provided.

1. Rotation refers to the turning of the earth (a. and b. in addition to) revolution to the movement of the earth around
the sun.
2. There are several means (a. for b. to) determine latitude and longitude.
3. (a. Likely b. Like) the tiger, the lion is a member of the cat family.
4. Botanists are not sure where the first plant was grown or even what plant (a. was b. it was).
5. The moon is not a planet (a. which b. although it) resembles the planets in many ways.
6. If the star seems to be moving in a wavy line (a. that we suspect b. we suspect it) of being a double star.
7. Determining the mineral content of soil samples is an exacting process (a. for example b. therefore), experts must
perform detailed tests to analyse soil specimens.
8. One of the most obvious characteristics of the moon is the way in which it continuously changes (a. it is appearing
b. its appearance).
9. Natural resources provide the raw material (a. are needed b. needed) to produce finished product.
10. (a. Alike b. Like) Australia, Canada conducts a complete census of its population every ten years.
IV. VOCABULARY

A. Directions: Encircle the letter of the word that means the same, or most nearly the same as the underlined word or
words.
a. not able to be distinguished
1. The proposed electoral amendment has not yet b. not able to be parted
been ratified. c. not able to be believed
a. debunked
b. skimmed 12. The gunfire was sporadic.
c. approved a. intermittent
b. frequent
2. The rivalry between the two softdrink c. continuous
companies was obvious.
a. competition 13. The Chairman’s greatest asset was his
b. compromise reputation for honesty.
c. cooperation a. advantage
b. liability
3. It is ridiculous to become irritated about such an c. pride
insignificant matter.
a. sinful 14. She meddles in the affairs of others.
b. absurd a. participates
c. tragic b. interferes
c. dabbles
4. The indecisive person was readily persuaded to
change his mind again. 15. Zenon’s apparel showed him to be a successful
a. easily man.
b. subtly a. clothing
c. hardly b. confidence
c. manner
5. The candidate’s victory at the polls was
overwhelming. 16. She was in a candid mood, her words sharp and
a. treachery merciless.
b. triumph a. bitter
c. defeat b. cruel
c. frank
6. Punctuality is imperative in every job.
a. being efficient 17. She grants the mall the prerogatives of royalty.
b. being courteous a. customs
c. being on time b. privileges
c. duties
7. He is infamous for his dishonesty in business
matters. 18. Only twenty people attended the conclave.
a. notorious a. briefing
b. loathed b. concert
c. dreaded c. meeting

8. An objective report by a committee would be 19. My uncle estranged himself from his own party
a. prejudice by joining party leaders.
b. personal a. injured
c. fair b. separated
c. upset
9. To preserve our liberties means to . . our
liberties. 20. These tactics did not seem preposterous to her.
a. safeguard a. absurd
b. enjoy b. one-sided
c. change c. productive

10. To resist tyranny

a. fight against 21. The former President exchanged reminiscences
b. suffer with his former allies.
c. worship a. comments
b. gifts
11. Identical twins are frequently inseparable. c. recollections
22. The director produced, at the movie’s climax
just about the most gruesome scene ever shown
on film.
a. colourful
b. horrifying
c. inferior

23. Our guest belongs to the most affluent family in

our region.
a. amazing
b. wealthy
c. influential

24. The doctors performed demonstrations of the

latest techniques for operating with miniature
instruments deep inside the car.
a. expensive
b. sharp
c. small
25. Business had been liquidating inventories at the
arte of five billion dollars a year.
a. comparing
b. converting into cash
c. evaluating