Diagnostic Test of English Sentence Skills

Answer Key

1. (Fragment) English is spoken as a first or second language by millions of people. Many of them coming to the United States to continue their education or to get jobs. INCORRECT
Correct:
English is spoken as a first or second language by millions of people, many of them coming to the United States to continue their education or to get jobs.

2. (Fragment) Many universities have ESL programs where students can take courses according to their abilities and needs. Like TOEFL preparation, American culture, and advanced reading. INCORRECT
Correct:
Many universities have ESL programs where students can take courses according to their abilities and needs, like TOEFL preparation, American culture, and advanced reading.

3. (Fragment) Reading newspapers and magazines is helpful in improving a person's reading skills. Daily reading practice helps improve comprehension, vocabulary, and speed. CORRECT.

4. (Fragment) International students should make friends with Americans or with students from different countries. Because they will be forced to practice their spoken English. INCORRECT
Correct:
International students should make friends with Americans or with students from different countries because they will be forced to practice their spoken English.

5. (Fragment) If I could read and write English perfectly. I would not be taking this course. INCORRECT
Correct:
If I could read and write English perfectly, I would not be taking this course.

6. (Verb) The university made the students to buy health insurance. INCORRECT
Correct:
The university made the students buy health insurance.

7. (Verb) I recommend that all international students be encouraged to attend orientation courses. CORRECT.

8. (Verb) Visitors to the campus are not allow to check out books from the university library. INCORRECT
Correct:
Visitors to the campus are not allowed to check out books from the university library.

9. (Verb) All students can get a high grade on the TOEFL exam if they had had more time. INCORRECT
Correct:
All students could get a high grade on the TOEFL exam if they had more time. OR All students can get a high grade on the TOEFL exam if they have more time.

10. (Verb) Every country has its own culture and customs that have been in existence for many years. CORRECT

11. (Agreement) The similarities between the culture of one country and the culture of another country depend on political, economic, and historical factors. CORRECT.

12. (Agreement) Thousand of years ago in China, some people believed in the healing power of dragons. INCORRECT
Correct:
Thousands of years ago in China, some people believed in the healing power of dragons.

13. (Agreement) Some scientists believe that people with certain trait or characteristic will generally possess higher intelligence. INCORRECT
Correct:
Some scientists believe that people with certain traits or characteristics will generally possess higher intelligence.

14. (Agreement) Teachers at ESL centers have degrees and experience that make them qualified to work with international students.CORRECT

15. (Agreement) Many students find that taking three classes are more than they can handle. INCORRECT
Correct:
Many students find that taking three classes is more than they can handle.

16. (Run-On Sentence/Comma Splice) I am getting used to American food, I am adapting to life in the United States and starting to feel comfortable here. INCORRECT
Correct:
I am getting used to American food. I am adapting to life in the United States and starting to feel comfortable here.

17. (Run-On Sentence/Comma Splice) In my country, we have burgers and fried chicken, but that is not the usual food for us. CORRECT

18. (Run-On Sentence/Comma Splice) We do not hurry as much as Americans do we can spend more time cooking at home and eating leisurely. INCORRECT
Correct:
We do not hurry as much as Americans do. We can spend more time cooking at home and eating leisurely. OR We do not hurry as much as Americans do; we can spend more time cooking at home and eating leisurely.

19. (Run-On Sentence/Comma Splice) When I bought a car for the first time, I didn't know anything about cars I only knew how to drive a car. INCORRECT
Correct:
When I bought a car for the first time, I didn't know anything about cars. I only knew how to drive a car.

20. (Run-On Sentence/Comma Splice) My native language does not have verb tenses and special forms for certain groups of people; its grammar is very different from English grammar. CORRECT

21. (Parallelism) Watching television and listen to the radio can help students learn English. INCORRECT
Correct:
Watching television and listening to the radio can help students learn English.

22. (Parallelism) Students often consider three factors when choosing a university: its fees, if it offers many degree programs, and its location. INCORRECT
Correct:
Students often consider three factors when choosing a university: its fees, how many degree programs it offers, and its location.

23. (Parallelism) My roommate spent his spring break driving to Miami, then flying to New York City, and then driving to Buffalo, New York. CORRECT

24. (Parallelism) Many Americans would not be happy if they did not have two televisions, two cars, and working at an extra job. INCORRECT
Correct:
Many Americans would not be happy if they did not have two televisions, two cars, and an extra job.

25. (Parallelism) People have become dependent on the radio, the television, and the newspaper to inform them of national and international news. CORRECT

26. (Word Order) Many American famous singers wrote, sang, and recorded "We Are the World." CORRECT

27. (Word Order) The dragon bones in China told scholars where the Shang people lived. CORRECT

28. (Word Order) Today, people who live in large cities know how important is owning a car and what advantages there are. INCORRECT
Correct:
Today, people who live in large cities know how important owning a car is and what advantages there are.

29. (Word Order) Not until I began to live in the United States did I have problems with my car. CORRECT

30. (Word Order) Every quarter I go to my adviser, who tells me which courses should I take. INCORRECT
Correct:
Every quarter I go to my adviser, who tells me which courses I should take.

31. (Word Choice) Students on scholarships send there grades to the foundation responsible for sending them to school. INCORRECT
Correct:
Students on scholarships send their grades to the foundation responsible for sending them to school.

32. (Word Choice) Hunger, an important problem today, is sometimes related with poverty, disease, and social discrimination. INCORRECT
Correct:
Hunger, an important problem today, is sometimes related to poverty, disease, and social discrimination.

33. (Word Choice) Some students dream about sitting in a chair, dictating what they want written, and letting a machine do all the work. CORRECT

34. (Word Choice) The success of an interview often depends on the questions an interviewer asks. CORRECT

35. (Word Choice) Many international students studying in America plan to come back to their own countries after they finish studying here. INCORRECT
Correct:
Many international students studying in America plan to go back to their own countries after they finish studying here.

36. (Word Form) Many universities have excellent business programs with informative courses and competence teachers. INCORRECT
Correct:
Many universities have excellent business programs with informative courses and competent teachers.

37. (Word Form) Many universities require a l0-dollar application fee. CORRECT

38. (Word Form) For many people, the most difficult part of the TOEFL exam is the composition. CORRECT

39. (Word Form) Going back to school was easy for me, but adapting to a new live styIe was difficult. INCORRECT
Correct:
Going back to school was easy for me, but adapting to a new life styIe was difficult.

40. (Word Form) Overpopulation has caused problems in find employment for thousands of people. INCORRECT
Correct:
Overpopulation has caused problems in finding employment for thousands of people.

41. (Article) My teacher is not very tall, but he has naturally curly hair and a straight nose. CORRECT

42. (Article) Atlanta, a big city located in the southern part of United States, has a pleasant climate. INCORRECT
Correct:
Atlanta, a big city located in the southern part of the United States, has a pleasant climate.

43. (Article) Florida attracts many visitors because the state has a nice weather. INCORRECT
Correct:
Florida attracts many visitors because the state has nice weather.

44. (Article) Cereal with milk is a quick and easy breakfast because people can buy cereal and milk at supermarket. INCORRECT
Correct:
Cereal with milk is a quick and easy breakfast because people can buy cereal and milk at a supermarket.

45. (Article) Most students who leave their countries and move to a different country will face problems in the first months. CORRECT

46. (Punctuation) Television a means by which we can watch the world around us, is one of the most useful and enjoyable inventions. INCORRECT
Correct:
Television, a means by which we can watch the world around us, is one of the most useful and enjoyable inventions.

47. (Punctuation) In some countries, television is owned operated and controlled by the government. INCORRECT
Correct:
In some countries, television is owned, operated and controlled by the government.

48. (Punctuation) The government uses television to express its ideology, to make people aware of developments in its country, and to encourage people to cooperate with the government. CORRECT

49. (Punctuation) Whether the government controls the mass media or not, many people want to watch sports events, films, and concerts. CORRECT

50. (Punctuation) Although many people dont have the time to read a newspaper, they can watch the national and international news. INCORRECT
Correct:
Although many people don't have the time to read a newspaper, they can watch the national and international news.

51. (Capitalization) There are two japanese restaurants near my parents' home. INCORRECT
Correct:
There are two Japanese restaurants near my parents' home.

52. (Capitalization) Last year, after I finished my ESL courses, I started taking English, math, and business courses. CORRECT

53. (Capitalization) Students sometimes wonder what to do on a saturday night. INCORRECT
Correct:

54. (Capitalization) During the Summer months, Stone Mountain Park has nightly entertainment. INCORRECT
Correct:

55. (Capitalization) Many international students attend colleges and universities in the United States. CORRECT

56. (Spelling) Although students in American colleges and universities come from many states and countries, they all study English composition. CORRECT

57. (Spelling) People need food to fill their stomachs, clothes to cover thier bodies, and shelters to protect themselves. INCORRECT
Correct:
People need food to fill their stomachs, clothes to cover their bodies, and shelters to protect themselves.

58. (Spelling) Many students realize that they need more writting practice. INCORRECT
Correct:
Many students realize that they need more writing practice.

59. (Spelling) Some people believe that the only way to improve their lives is to change the government. CORRECT

60. (Spelling) There are many differents between the schools in my country and the schools here. INCORRECT
Correct:
There are many differences between the schools in my country and the schools here.

Now mark the personal test record on the next page. This will give you information about your grammar strengths and weaknesses in a visual format. You will see which areas you need to concentrate on during this course, and you will also see the chapters (sections, lessons) that you should study especially carefully in several books.

Go back to class at cvc.blackboard.com


This webpage was most recently updated by Marsha Chan on Feb 9, 2004.

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