FREE TABE ELA EXAM

1. Which of the following root words means foot?

Ped

Man

Corp

Post

A. The root that means “foot” is ped. See Lesson: Root Words, Prefixes, and Suffixes.

Explanation

A. The root that means “foot” is ped. See Lesson: Root Words, Prefixes, and Suffixes.

2. Select the verb that best completes the following sentence. Katharina didn't ___ her job as an accountant, so she decided to change careers.

Like

Likes

Liken

Liked

A. This is a past tense negative, so it takes the helping verb did with the base form like. See Lesson: Verbs and Verb Tenses.

Explanation

A. This is a past tense negative, so it takes the helping verb did with the base form like. See Lesson: Verbs and Verb Tenses.

3. Select the correct verbs to complete the following sentence. My dentist, who I ___ visited for years, ___ suddenly disappeared.

Has, has

Have, has

Has, have

Have, have

B. This sentence has a predicate within a predicate. The "inside" predicate is who I have visited for years, and the "outside" predicate is my dentist has suddenly disappeared. See Lesson: Subject and Verb Agreement.

Explanation

B. This sentence has a predicate within a predicate. The "inside" predicate is who I have visited for years, and the "outside" predicate is my dentist has suddenly disappeared. See Lesson: Subject and Verb Agreement.

4. How would you connect the following clauses? She gave her dog a long walk. He slept well that night.

She gave her a dog a long walk and he slept well that night.

She gave her dog a long walk but he slept well that night.

She gave her dog a long walk or he slept well that night.

She gave her dog a long walk yet he slept well that night.

A. She gave her dog a long walk and he slept well that night. These two clauses are of equal grammatical rank and can be connected with a coordinating conjunction. “And” is the conjunction that makes the most sense. See Lesson: Types of Clauses.

Explanation

A. She gave her dog a long walk and he slept well that night. These two clauses are of equal grammatical rank and can be connected with a coordinating conjunction. “And” is the conjunction that makes the most sense. See Lesson: Types of Clauses.

5. Select the subject that would be incorrect in the following sentence. _________ are excited about the upcoming election.

He

We

You

They

A. The subject he takes the verb form is, not are. See Lesson: Subject and Verb Agreement.

Explanation

A. The subject he takes the verb form is, not are. See Lesson: Subject and Verb Agreement.

6. Adding which prefix to intentional would make the antonym of the word?

De-

Un-

Dis-

Mis-

B. Adding the prefix "un" would make the word unintentional, which is an antonym for intentional. See Lesson:Synonyms, Antonyms, and Analogies.

Explanation

B. Adding the prefix "un" would make the word unintentional, which is an antonym for intentional. See Lesson:Synonyms, Antonyms, and Analogies.

7. What is the correct plural of half?

Half

Halfs

Halfes

Halves

D. With a word ending in -f, you drop the -f and add -ves. See Lesson: Spelling.

Explanation

D. With a word ending in -f, you drop the -f and add -ves. See Lesson: Spelling.

8. Which of the following nouns can be made plural by simply adding -s?

Fox

Frog

Cherry

Potato

B. To make the word frog plural, simply add -s. See Lesson: Nouns.

Explanation

B. To make the word frog plural, simply add -s. See Lesson: Nouns.

9. Select the word from the following sentence that has more than one meaning. After he failed his physics test, my brother began to channel his anger toward me.

Failed

Test

Channel

Anger

C. The word “channel” has more than one meaning. See Lesson: Context Clues and Multiple Meaning Words

Explanation

C. The word “channel” has more than one meaning. See Lesson: Context Clues and Multiple Meaning Words

10. Which of the following spellings is correct?

Argument

Arguemint

Arguement

Arguemant

A. Argument is the only correct spelling. See Lesson: Spelling.

Explanation

A. Argument is the only correct spelling. See Lesson: Spelling.

11. Select the correct definition of the underlined word that has more than one meaning in the sentence. The nursing students were learning about the human figure with a life-sized dummy and other plastic models.

A shape or form

A person who is regarded in a special way

A diagram or picture

A value expressed in numbers

A. The meaning of figure in the context of this sentence is “a shape or form.” See Lesson: Context Clues and Multiple Meaning Words

Explanation

A. The meaning of figure in the context of this sentence is “a shape or form.” See Lesson: Context Clues and Multiple Meaning Words

12. Select the verb that acts on the underlined direct object. We decided that we should walk the dog before going to the restaurant.

Decided

Should

Walk

Going

C. The dog is the direct object of the verb walk. See Lesson: Direct Objects and Indirect Objects.

Explanation

C. The dog is the direct object of the verb walk. See Lesson: Direct Objects and Indirect Objects.

13. The following words have the same denotation. Which word has a positive connotation?

Assertive

Dictatorial

Domineering

Overbearing

A. Assertive has a positive connotation. See Lesson: Synonyms, Antonyms, and Analogies.

Explanation

A. Assertive has a positive connotation. See Lesson: Synonyms, Antonyms, and Analogies.

14. Fill in the blank with the correctly capitalized form. My favorite book in the Harry Potter series is _______.

Harry potter and the prisoner of azkaban

Harry Potter and the prisoner of azkaban

Harry Potter And The Prisoner Of Azkaban

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

D. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. Short prepositions, conjunctions, and articles are not capitalized in publication titles. See Lesson: Capitalization.

Explanation

D. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. Short prepositions, conjunctions, and articles are not capitalized in publication titles. See Lesson: Capitalization.

15. Select the meaning of the underlined word in the sentence. The city's government is infamous for being corrupt and dishonest.

Content

Regretful

Notorious

Apologetic

C. The prefix in means “not,” so infamous means not known for being famous or for something good, so infamous means notorious. See Lesson: Root Words, Prefixes, and Suffixes.

Explanation

C. The prefix in means “not,” so infamous means not known for being famous or for something good, so infamous means notorious. See Lesson: Root Words, Prefixes, and Suffixes.

16. Quaff : Beverage :: Garnish : _________

Plate

Closet

Canvas

Garden

A. Quaff is an action that you do with a beverage in the same way that garnish is an action you do with a plate of food. See Lesson: Synonyms, Antonyms, and Analogies.

Explanation

A. Quaff is an action that you do with a beverage in the same way that garnish is an action you do with a plate of food. See Lesson: Synonyms, Antonyms, and Analogies.

17. Which word does the underlined modifier describe? I looked up to Marvin, who was a year older.

I

Looked

Up

Marvin

D. Who was a year older describes Marvin. See Lesson: Modifiers, misplaced modifiers, dangling modifiers.

Explanation

D. Who was a year older describes Marvin. See Lesson: Modifiers, misplaced modifiers, dangling modifiers.

18. Fill in the blank with the correct subordinating conjunction. I had a bad stomach flu but started to regain my appetite, ____ is good news.

So

That

Which

Whereas

C. Which. The word "which" signifies the beginning of a dependent clause and is the only conjunction that makes sense in the sentence. See Lesson: Types of Clauses.

Explanation

C. Which. The word "which" signifies the beginning of a dependent clause and is the only conjunction that makes sense in the sentence. See Lesson: Types of Clauses.

19. Select the pronoun that could be used in the following sentence. Mrs. Sato, ______ lives down the street, is 99 years old.

She

Who

Which

Whom

B. The relative pronoun who introduces a clause that gives more information about the noun Mrs. Sato. See Lesson: Pronouns.

Explanation

B. The relative pronoun who introduces a clause that gives more information about the noun Mrs. Sato. See Lesson: Pronouns.

20. Which word in the following sentence is a pronoun? The driver checked her side mirror.

The

Her

Side

Driver

B. Her is a possessive pronoun. See Lesson: Pronouns.

Explanation

B. Her is a possessive pronoun. See Lesson: Pronouns.

21. An amicable person is one who is

Timid

Friendly

Capable

Uncertain

B. The root ami means “love,” so an amicable person would show love or be friendly. See Lesson: Root Words, Prefixes, and Suffixes.

Explanation

B. The root ami means “love,” so an amicable person would show love or be friendly. See Lesson: Root Words, Prefixes, and Suffixes.

22. What is missing from the following sentence? He asked, When is the assignment due?

There should be quotation marks.

There needs to be a semicolon after asked.

There should be a comma after assignment.

Nothing is missing.

A. There should be quotation marks. Direct quotes from someone else should be enclosed in quotation marks. See Lesson: Punctuation.

Explanation

A. There should be quotation marks. Direct quotes from someone else should be enclosed in quotation marks. See Lesson: Punctuation.

23. Which word in the following sentence is an adjective? The opera singer's voice, poise, and costume were all perfect.

Voice

Poise

Costum

Perfect

D. Perfect is an adjective that describes the nouns voice, poise, and costume.See Lesson: Adjectives and Adverbs

Explanation

D. Perfect is an adjective that describes the nouns voice, poise, and costume.See Lesson: Adjectives and Adverbs

24. Select the response that correctly describes both of the underlined verbs. When a buyer offered 5% below our asking price, our realtor advised us to accept the offer.

Helping verbs

Past tense verbs

Present tense verbs

Progressive tense verbs

B. Offered and advised are simple past verb forms. See Lesson: Verbs and Verb Tenses.

Explanation

B. Offered and advised are simple past verb forms. See Lesson: Verbs and Verb Tenses.

25. Which of the following is an example of a compound sentence?

The Jankowskis typically go out for Italian food, tonight they tried Thai.

The Jankowskis typically go out for Italian food and tonight they tried Thai.

The Jankowskis typically go out for Italian food, but tonight they tried Thai.

The Jankowskis typically go out for Italian food even though tonight they tried Thai.

C. This is a compound sentence joining two independent clauses with a comma and the conjunction but. See Lesson: Types of Sentences.

Explanation

C. This is a compound sentence joining two independent clauses with a comma and the conjunction but. See Lesson: Types of Sentences.

26. What part of speech is the underline word in the following sentence? Douglas served on the Supreme Court for 36 years.

Noun

Pronoun

Adjective

Preposition

A. Supreme Court is a noun. See Lesson: Nouns.

Explanation

A. Supreme Court is a noun. See Lesson: Nouns.

27. Which sentence is incorrect?

I hate you!

When does the move start?

I go to bed early so I do not feel tired.

You should drink eight glasses of water a day.

C. I go to bed early so I do not feel tired. There should be a comma before so as it is a coordinating conjunction. See Lesson: Punctuation.

Explanation

C. I go to bed early so I do not feel tired. There should be a comma before so as it is a coordinating conjunction. See Lesson: Punctuation.

28. Which part of the following sentence is the predicate? Mai and her friend Oksana love to ride roller coasters.

Mai and her friend Oksana

And her friend Oksana

Love to ride roller coasters

Roller coasters

C. The subject is Mai and her friend Oksana, and the predicate is love to ride roller coasters. See Lesson: Subject and Verb Agreement.

Explanation

C. The subject is Mai and her friend Oksana, and the predicate is love to ride roller coasters. See Lesson: Subject and Verb Agreement.

29. Select the context clue from the following sentence that helps you define the word insatiable. The teenager has such an insatiable appetite that he eats frequently.

“teenager”

“appetite”

“eats ”

“frequently”

D. The meaning of insatiable in this context is “can’t be satisfied.” The word “frequently” helps you figure out the meaning of insatiable. See Lesson: Context Clues and Multiple Meaning Words

Explanation

D. The meaning of insatiable in this context is “can’t be satisfied.” The word “frequently” helps you figure out the meaning of insatiable. See Lesson: Context Clues and Multiple Meaning Words

30. Which of the following is correct?

May

Spring

Easter

Sunday

A. May. Months, days, and holidays need to be capitalized, and seasons do not need to be.See Lesson: Capitalization.

Explanation

A. May. Months, days, and holidays need to be capitalized, and seasons do not need to be.See Lesson: Capitalization.

31. Select the direct object of the underlined verb. Andrei was happy to help his daughter and her fiance plan their wedding.

Was happy

To help

His daughter and her fiance

Their wedding

D. Their wedding is a direct object of the verb plan. See Lesson: Direct Objects and Indirect Objects.

Explanation

D. Their wedding is a direct object of the verb plan. See Lesson: Direct Objects and Indirect Objects.

32. Which of the following verbs cannot take a direct object?

Snore

Watch

Choose

Bake

A. Snore is intransitive and cannot take a direct object. See Lesson: Direct Objects and Indirect Objects.

Explanation

A. Snore is intransitive and cannot take a direct object. See Lesson: Direct Objects and Indirect Objects.

33. Select the parts of speech of the underlined words in the following sentence. I had an early meeting, so I woke up early.

Adverb, adverb

Adverb, adjective

Adjective, adverb

Adjective, adjective

C. The first early is an adjective that describes the noun meeting, and the second early is an adverb that describes the verb woke.See Lesson: Adjectives and Adverbs

Explanation

C. The first early is an adjective that describes the noun meeting, and the second early is an adverb that describes the verb woke.See Lesson: Adjectives and Adverbs

34. Which of the following options correctly fixes the run-on sentence below? Texting while driving is reckless it could cost you your life.

Texting while driving is reckless, it could cost you your life.

Texting while driving is reckless it. Could cost you your life.

Texting while driving. Is reckless, it could cost you your life.

Texting while driving is reckless, and it could cost you your life.

D. This sentence correctly fixes the run-on sentence. See Lesson: Types of Sentences.

Explanation

D. This sentence correctly fixes the run-on sentence. See Lesson: Types of Sentences.

35. Identify the dependent clause in the following sentence. Joe always did his homework before he went to bed.

Went to bed

Before he went to bed

Joe always did his homework

Did his homework

B. Before he went to bed. It is dependent because it does not express a complete thought and relies on the independent clause. The word “before” also signifies the beginning of a dependent clause. See Lesson: Types of Clauses.

Explanation

B. Before he went to bed. It is dependent because it does not express a complete thought and relies on the independent clause. The word “before” also signifies the beginning of a dependent clause. See Lesson: Types of Clauses.

36. Which of the following uses a conjunction to combine the sentences below so the focus is on Tony preparing for his job interview? Tony prepared well for his job interview. Tony ended up getting an offer.

Tony ended up getting an offer; he prepared for his job interview.

Tony prepared well for his job interview, he ended up getting an offer.

Tony prepared well for his job interview and he ended up getting an offer.

Tony ended up getting an offer because he prepared for his job interview.

D. The subordinate conjunction “because” combines the sentences and puts the focus on Tony preparing for his job interview. See Lesson: Types of Sentences.

Explanation

D. The subordinate conjunction “because” combines the sentences and puts the focus on Tony preparing for his job interview. See Lesson: Types of Sentences.

37. What does the underlined coordinating conjunction in the sentence below connect? We had a dry summer, so the crops didn't do well.

Dependent clauses

Independent clauses

Prepositional phrases

Gerunds

B. We had a dry summer and the crops didn't do well are independent clauses. See Lesson: Conjunctions and Prepositions.

Explanation

B. We had a dry summer and the crops didn't do well are independent clauses. See Lesson: Conjunctions and Prepositions.

38. Identify the dangling modifier in the following sentence. After reading the book, the movie that just came out must be pretty bad.

After reading the book

The movie

That just came out

Must be really bad

A. After reading the book is a modifier that, by its placement, is incorrectly referenced to the movie. The modifier is dangling because there is no noun or pronoun that references the person who read the book.See Lesson: Modifiers, misplaced modifiers, dangling modifiers.

Explanation

A. After reading the book is a modifier that, by its placement, is incorrectly referenced to the movie. The modifier is dangling because there is no noun or pronoun that references the person who read the book.See Lesson: Modifiers, misplaced modifiers, dangling modifiers.

39. Identify the prepositional phrase in the following sentence. The show got great reviews, so we plan to see it on Saturday.

Got great reviews

So we plan

See it

On Saturday

D. On Saturday is a prepositional phrase. See Lesson: Conjunctions and Prepositions.

Explanation

D. On Saturday is a prepositional phrase. See Lesson: Conjunctions and Prepositions.

40. How many modifiers describe the underlined word in the following sentence? Pass that large silver bowl.

1

2

3

4

C. That, large, and silver describe bowl.See Lesson: Modifiers, misplaced modifiers, dangling modifiers.

Explanation

C. That, large, and silver describe bowl.See Lesson: Modifiers, misplaced modifiers, dangling modifiers.

Free TABE ELA Exam