Multiple choice test

Dahlia Bartley, Contributor

You must have noticed that our lessons, so far,

have been dealing with how to write correct sentences, using a variety of
structures. In today's lesson, you will do your first test, a multiple choice test,
which will incorporate aspects of what we have done. This is necessary, as I
want you to have an idea of the type of questions which may be set on the
multiple choice paper - Paper 1.

A student works on a baking project during a food and nutrition class at Ascot
High School, recently. -Anthony Minott/Freelance Photographer

The first set of exercises require that you use your knowledge of the subject
and predicate.

Directions: Choose from the four options given below each sentence, the one
which will make it correct.

1. I, along with Merle and Dimples, _____________ going to the meeting on
Saturday.

(A) am (B) are (C) is (D) were


2. Most of the eggs in the box _______ broken when Mary fell.

(A) has been (B) are (C) was (D) were


3. One of the boys ________ an interesting story.

(A) has written (B) writing (C) have written (D) were writing

Directions: Some of the following sentences are unacceptable because of
inappropriate grammar, idiom or vocabulary. Some sentences are acceptable
as they stand. Select the one underlined part you feel is incorrect. If the
sentence has no error, choose NE.

4. Whenever the netballers (A)play (B)a match the students shows (C)it's
support. (D)NE

5. (A)Each of the boys had to decide whether (B)he would accept the coach's
decision, even if it meant losing (C)his place on the team. (D)NE

6.This group of girls (A)have decided to (B)undertake a difficult (C)but
meaningful project. (D)NE

7. (A)One of the ceiling fans (B)were defective and mother (C)promptly
returned it to the store. (D)NE
8. Mrs. Brown, (A)as well as Mrs. Parkins, (B)were at the meeting which
(C)was held in the office. (D)NE

9. (A)At the end of the year, each group (B)was instructed to keep a record of
(C)their meetings. (D)NE

10. Neither Joy's appeal (A)nor the stringency of the laws (B)were able (C)to
quell the rioters. (D)NE

Directions: Reconstruct each of the following sentences according to the
directions which follow it.

11. When he had ploughed the land, he scattered the seeds in rows.

Begin with: 'After'

A. ploughing B. being ploughed

C. has ploughed D. having been ploughed

12. I think that John should sell his car and buy a house.

Begin with: 'If I were John'

A. I should B. I would C. I will D. I might

13. George studied all night but he still failed the examination.

Begin with: 'George failed the examination'

A. in spite of studying B. although he study

C. in spite of his studies D. and he studied

14. As soon as he entered the bus, it started on its journey.

Begin with: 'No sooner'

A. than he entered B. had he entered

C. that he entered D. when he entered

15. When the raging storm had ruined their shelter, they sought refuge in an
old dilapidated boat that lay on the shore.

Begin with: 'When their shelter'

A. had been ruined B. having been ruined

C. was being ruined D. had ruined

Directions: Reconstruct each of the following sentences without changing the
meaning. Follow the instructions below each sentence.

16. The captain summoned all his soldiers to a meeting in his office.

Replace the soldiers with them.

17. Can all of us fit into this room?

Begin with: I doubt that we

18. Before we left the house, we turned on the alarm.

Begin with: Leaving

19. The girl can attend the party this weekend, only if she is accompanied by
her parents.

Begin with: Unless

Answers:
1. A 6. A 11. C

2. D 7. B 12. B

3. A 8. B 13. A

4. C 9. C 14. A

5. D 10. B 15. A