ACCUPLACER: Sentence Skills Practice Test
(Tutorial links are below this test)

Two kinds of questions are given in this test.

Sentence correction questions ask you to choose a word or a phrase to substitute for an underlined portion of a sentence.

Construction shift questions ask that a sentence be rewritten in a specific way without changing the meaning. A variety of topics is included.

You will be given 20 questions.

Sample Questions

Question 1: Sentence Correction

Select the best version of the bold part of the sentence. The first choice is the same as the original sentence. If you think the original sentence is best, choose the first answer.

Ms. Rose planning to teach a course in biology next summer.

A. planning
B. are planning
C. with a plan
D. plans

Question 2: Sentence Correction

The baby was obviously getting too hot, then Sam did what he could to cool her.

A. hot, then Sam did
B. hot, Sam did
C. hot; Sam, therefore, did
D. hot; Sam, trying to do

Question 3: Sentence Correction

She hoped to find a new job. One that would let her earn money during the school year.

A. job. One that
B. job. The kind that
C. job, one that
D. job, so that it

Question 4: Sentence Correction

Knocked sideways, the statue looked as if it would fall.

A. Knocked sideways, the statue looked
B. The statue was knocked sideways, looked
C. The statue looked knocked sideways
D. The statue, looking knocked sideways

Question 5: Sentence Correction

To walk, biking, and driving are Pat's favorite ways of getting around.

A. To walk, biking, and driving
B. Walking, biking, and driving
C. To walk, biking, and to drive
D. To walk, to bike, and also driving

Question 6: Sentence Correction

When you cross the street in the middle of the block, this is an example of jaywalking.

A. When you cross the street in the middle of the block, this
B. You cross the street in the middle of the block, this
C. Crossing the street in the middle of the block
D. The fact that you cross the street in the middle of the block

Question 7: Sentence Correction

Walking by the corner the other day, a child, I noticed, was watching for the light to change.

A. a child, I noticed, was
B. I noticed a child watching
C. a child was watching, I noticed,
D. there was, I noticed, a child watching

Question 8: Construction Shift

Rewrite the sentence in your head, following the directions given below. Keep in mind that your new sentence should be well written and should have essentially the same meaning as the sentence given you.

Being a female jockey, she was often interviewed.

Rewrite, beginning with

She was often interviewed...

The next words will be

A. on account of she was
B. by her being
C. because she was
D. being as she was

Question 9: Construction Shift

In his songs, Gordon Lightfoot makes melody and lyrics intricately intertwine.

Rewrite, beginning with

Melody and lyrics...

Your new sentence will include

A. Gordon Lightfoot has
B. make Gordon Lightfoot's
C. in Gordon Lightfoot's
D. does Gordon Lightfoot

Question 10: Construction Shift

It is easy to carry solid objects without spilling them, but the same cannot be said of liquids.

Rewrite, beginning with

Unlike liquids, ...

The next words will be

A. it is easy to
B. we can easily
C. solid objects can easily be
D. solid objects are easy to be

Question 11: Construction Shift

Excited children ran toward the loud music, and they told others about the ice cream truck outside.

Rewrite, beginning with

The excited children, who had run toward the loud...

The next words will be

A. music, they told
B. music told
C. music, telling
D. music and had told

Question 12: Construction Shift

If he had enough strength, Todd would move the boulder.

Rewrite, beginning with

Todd cannot move the boulder...

The next words will be

A. when lacking
B. because he
C. although there
D. without enough

Question 13: Construction Shift

The band began to play, and then the real party started.

Rewrite, beginning with

The real party started...

The next words will be

A. after the band began
B. and the band began
C. although the band began
D. the band beginning

Question 14: Construction Shift

Chris heard no unusual noises when he listened in the park.

Rewrite, beginning with

Listening in the park,...

The next words will be

A. no unusual noises could be heard
B. then Chris heard no unusual noises
C. and hearing no unusual noises
D. Chris heard no unusual noises

Answers

1. D
2. C
3. C
4. A
5. B
6. C
7. B
8. C
9. C
10. C
11. B
12. B
13. A
14. D

Want more practice for Accuplacer SENTENCE SKILLS?:
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Another great one! (Be sure to look at the explanations below the practice questions!)

And yet another great explanation!