Pre-employment English Test Questions

1. Reading Comprehension
A dog is bigger than a mouse, but smaller than an elephant.

A dog is smaller than a mouse.

A dog is very big.

A dog is the biggest.

An elephant is bigger than a dog.

The given statement states that a dog is bigger than a mouse but smaller than an elephant. Therefore, the correct answer is that an elephant is bigger than a dog.

Explanation

The given statement states that a dog is bigger than a mouse but smaller than an elephant. Therefore, the correct answer is that an elephant is bigger than a dog.

2. Context Clues
I took the tome off the shelf and opened it to page 94. Then I began to read.
Tome means...

Food

Clues

A book

A cigarette

In the given context, the narrator mentions taking the "tome" off the shelf and opening it to a specific page, indicating that "tome" refers to a book.

Explanation

In the given context, the narrator mentions taking the "tome" off the shelf and opening it to a specific page, indicating that "tome" refers to a book.

3. Pronouns
If you happen to see your parents this weekend, give ___ my best regards.

Her

Him

Them

They

The correct answer is "them" because the sentence is referring to multiple parents. "Them" is the correct pronoun to use when referring to more than one person.

Explanation

The correct answer is "them" because the sentence is referring to multiple parents. "Them" is the correct pronoun to use when referring to more than one person.

4. Verb Forms
We usually ______ dinner at 8:00 p.m.

Eat

Eating

Never have eaten

I don't know

The correct answer is "eat" because the sentence is in the present tense and "eat" is the base form of the verb that agrees with the subject "we".

Explanation

The correct answer is "eat" because the sentence is in the present tense and "eat" is the base form of the verb that agrees with the subject "we".

5. Prepositions
The computer printer is _______ the table ______ the computer.

On ---- at

On ---- next to

On ---- on

On ---- under

The correct answer is "on ---- next to." This is because the sentence is describing the location of the computer printer in relation to the table and the computer. "On" indicates that the printer is physically resting on top of the table, while "next to" indicates that it is positioned beside the computer.

Explanation

The correct answer is "on ---- next to." This is because the sentence is describing the location of the computer printer in relation to the table and the computer. "On" indicates that the printer is physically resting on top of the table, while "next to" indicates that it is positioned beside the computer.

6. Prepositions
She always gets up early ______ the morning, so she can make it to class ______ time.

By ---- in

In ---- in

On ---- on

In ---- on

The correct answer is "in ---- on." The preposition "in" is used to indicate a specific time period, in this case, the morning. The preposition "on" is used to indicate a specific point in time, in this case, the time she needs to make it to class. Therefore, the sentence means that she always gets up early during the morning, so she can make it to class on time.

Explanation

The correct answer is "in ---- on." The preposition "in" is used to indicate a specific time period, in this case, the morning. The preposition "on" is used to indicate a specific point in time, in this case, the time she needs to make it to class. Therefore, the sentence means that she always gets up early during the morning, so she can make it to class on time.

7. Context Clues
The thought of eating a rat is abhorrent to most people.

Fun, lively

Horrible, repugnant

Delicious, tasty

Sweet, sugary

The context clue "abhorrent" indicates a strong feeling of disgust or hatred towards the thought of eating a rat. This aligns with the meaning of "horrible" and "repugnant", which both convey a strong sense of aversion or revulsion. Therefore, the correct answer is "horrible, repugnant".

Explanation

The context clue "abhorrent" indicates a strong feeling of disgust or hatred towards the thought of eating a rat. This aligns with the meaning of "horrible" and "repugnant", which both convey a strong sense of aversion or revulsion. Therefore, the correct answer is "horrible, repugnant".

8. Context Clues
You can trust the salesmen at that store because they always conduct business in an aboveboard manner.

Honestly, openly

Sneaky, dishonest

Horrible, repugnant

Strange, unusual

The context clues in the sentence indicate that the salesmen at that store conduct business "in an aboveboard manner." The phrase "aboveboard" means honest and openly. Therefore, the correct answer is "honestly, openly."

Explanation

The context clues in the sentence indicate that the salesmen at that store conduct business "in an aboveboard manner." The phrase "aboveboard" means honest and openly. Therefore, the correct answer is "honestly, openly."

9. Verb Forms
Yesterday, we ______ a very interesting conference call about the new ERP project.

Are having

Have

Had

Were had

The correct answer is "had". The sentence is in the past tense, and "had" is the correct past tense form of the verb "have". It indicates that the conference call took place in the past.

Explanation

The correct answer is "had". The sentence is in the past tense, and "had" is the correct past tense form of the verb "have". It indicates that the conference call took place in the past.

10. Verb
The plane _____ at New York's Kennedy Airport .

Took off

Took down

Landed

Drove

The correct answer is "landed". This verb is used to describe the action of an airplane touching the ground after a flight.

Explanation

The correct answer is "landed". This verb is used to describe the action of an airplane touching the ground after a flight.

11. Prepositions
The professor said ________ the first day of the course that there would be a big final test _______ the end of the semester.

At ---- on

At ---- at

On ---- at

On ---- in

The preposition "on" is used to indicate a specific day or date, so it is appropriate to use "on" before "the first day of the course." The preposition "at" is used to indicate a specific time, so it is appropriate to use "at" before "the end of the semester."

Explanation

The preposition "on" is used to indicate a specific day or date, so it is appropriate to use "on" before "the first day of the course." The preposition "at" is used to indicate a specific time, so it is appropriate to use "at" before "the end of the semester."

12. Reading Comprehension
The "taint of melancholy" which Edgar Allan Poe throughout his life associated with the more "soulful" aspects of beauty was, of course, one of the familiar moods of romantics everywhere. But it is somewhat unusual that this particular mood should be so favoured by Southern poets. From the defiant anguish reminiscent of Byron to the delicate sadness characteristic of female poets like Mrs. Felicia Hemans, the whole range of melancholy feeling could be found in the pages of The Messenger during the 1930's. This is not to say that the magazine published only the poems of the Southern poetasters who invoked melancholy. The significant point is that the Southern poets whom The Messager did publish were prone to exploit melancholy. Poems on Poe's favorite subject, the death of a beautiful woman, were numerous enough in The Messanger to make us feel some retroactive concern about the durability of Southern belles.

Q5: The words "reminiscent of" mean most nearly

Prominent in

Recalling

Absent in

Favoured by

The words "reminiscent of" mean most nearly "recalling". This means that the anguish described in the passage brings to mind or reminds one of the anguish associated with Byron. It suggests a similarity or connection between the two.

Explanation

The words "reminiscent of" mean most nearly "recalling". This means that the anguish described in the passage brings to mind or reminds one of the anguish associated with Byron. It suggests a similarity or connection between the two.

13. Reading Comprehension
The "taint of melancholy" which Edgar Allan Poe throughout his life associated with the more "soulful" aspects of beauty was, of course, one of the familiar moods of romantics everywhere. But it is somewhat unusual that this particular mood should be so favoured by Southern poets.
From the defiant anguish reminiscent of Byron to the delicate sadness characteristic of female poets like Mrs. Felicia Hemans, the whole range of melancholy feeling could be found in the pages of The Messenger during the 1930's. This is not to say that the magazine published only the poems of the Southern poetasters who invoked melancholy. The significant point is that the Southern poets whom The Messenger did publish were prone to exploit melancholy. Poems on Poe's favorite subject, the death of a beautiful woman, were numerous enough in The Messenger to make us feel some retroactive concern about the durability of Southern belles.

Q2: Poe had a preference for poems that dealt with:

The death of a child

Byronic despair

Southern belles

The death of a beautiful woman

The passage mentions that poems on Poe's favorite subject, the death of a beautiful woman, were numerous enough in The Messenger. This suggests that Poe had a preference for poems that dealt with the death of a beautiful woman.

Explanation

The passage mentions that poems on Poe's favorite subject, the death of a beautiful woman, were numerous enough in The Messenger. This suggests that Poe had a preference for poems that dealt with the death of a beautiful woman.

14. Verb Tenses
Usually, I (work) ______________ as a secretary at ABT, but this summer I (study) ______________ French at a language school in Paris. That is why I am in Paris.

Am working ---- was studying

Worked ---- studied

Work ---- am studying

Am working ---- am studying

The correct answer is "work ---- am studying". This is because the first sentence states that the person usually works as a secretary at ABT, indicating a habitual action in the present. However, the second sentence mentions studying French in Paris, which is happening in the present (this summer). Therefore, the present continuous tense "am studying" is used to show an action that is happening now.

Explanation

The correct answer is "work ---- am studying". This is because the first sentence states that the person usually works as a secretary at ABT, indicating a habitual action in the present. However, the second sentence mentions studying French in Paris, which is happening in the present (this summer). Therefore, the present continuous tense "am studying" is used to show an action that is happening now.

15. Compound Nouns
Thomas White, who orchestrated ___________ rescue packages, will address the group.

Multibillion-dollars

Multibillions dollars

Multibillion-dollar

Multibillion dollar

The correct answer is "multibillion-dollar". In this sentence, "rescue packages" is a compound noun that describes the type of packages being orchestrated by Thomas White. To properly modify this compound noun, we need to use a hyphenated compound adjective "multibillion-dollar" to indicate that the packages are worth multiple billions of dollars.

Explanation

The correct answer is "multibillion-dollar". In this sentence, "rescue packages" is a compound noun that describes the type of packages being orchestrated by Thomas White. To properly modify this compound noun, we need to use a hyphenated compound adjective "multibillion-dollar" to indicate that the packages are worth multiple billions of dollars.

16. Tag Questions
You'll be leaving for Los Angeles soon, __________ ?

Won't you?

Don't you?

Aren't you?

Shouldn't you?

The correct answer is "aren't you?" This is a tag question that is used to seek confirmation or agreement from the listener. In this case, the speaker is assuming that the person they are speaking to will be leaving for Los Angeles soon and is seeking confirmation of this assumption. The use of "aren't" instead of "won't," "don't," or "shouldn't" is appropriate because it matches the verb tense and form of the main sentence.

Explanation

The correct answer is "aren't you?" This is a tag question that is used to seek confirmation or agreement from the listener. In this case, the speaker is assuming that the person they are speaking to will be leaving for Los Angeles soon and is seeking confirmation of this assumption. The use of "aren't" instead of "won't," "don't," or "shouldn't" is appropriate because it matches the verb tense and form of the main sentence.

17. Reading Comprehension
The "taint of melancholy" which Edgar Allan Poe throughout his life associated with the more "soulful" aspects of beauty was, of course, one of the familiar moods of romantics everywhere. But it is somewhat unusual that this particular mood should be so favoured by Southern poets.
From the defiant anguish reminiscent of Byron to the delicate sadness characteristic of female poets like Mrs. Felicia Hemans, the whole range of melancholy feeling could be found in the pages of The Messenger during the 1930's. This is not to say that the magazine published only the poems of the Southern poetasters who invoked melancholy. The significant point is that the Southern poets whom The Messenger did publish were prone to exploit melancholy. Poems on Poe's favorite subject, the death of a beautiful woman, were numerous enough in The Messenger to make us feel some retroactive concern about the durability of Southern belles.

Q4: The Messenger published:

Only melancholy poems

Only female poets

Only Southern poets who wrote melancholy poems

Many poems about death

The given answer states that The Messenger published only melancholy poems. This is supported by the information in the passage that Southern poets whom The Messenger did publish were prone to exploit melancholy and that poems on Poe's favorite subject, the death of a beautiful woman, were numerous enough in The Messenger. Therefore, the answer suggests that The Messenger focused on publishing poems with a melancholy theme.

Explanation

The given answer states that The Messenger published only melancholy poems. This is supported by the information in the passage that Southern poets whom The Messenger did publish were prone to exploit melancholy and that poems on Poe's favorite subject, the death of a beautiful woman, were numerous enough in The Messenger. Therefore, the answer suggests that The Messenger focused on publishing poems with a melancholy theme.

18. Reading Comprehension
The "taint of melancholy" which Edgar Allan Poe throughout his life associated with the more "soulful" aspects of beauty was, of course, one of the familiar moods of romantics everywhere. But it is somewhat unusual that this particular mood should be so favoured by Southern poets.
From the defiant anguish reminiscent of Byron to the delicate sadness characteristic of female poets like Mrs. Felicia Hemans, the whole range of melancholy feeling could be found in the pages of The Messenger during the 1930's. This is not to say that the magazine published only the poems of the Southern poetasters who invoked melancholy. The significant point is that the Southern poets whom The Messenger did publish were prone to exploit melancholy. Poems on Poe's favorite subject, the death of a beautiful woman, were numerous enough in The Messenger to make us feel some retroactive concern about the durability of Southern belles.

Q3: The author implies that Southern belles:

May often have been delicately sad

May often have died young

May have written many poems

May have lived very melancholy lives

The author implies that Southern belles may often have died young. This is suggested by the mention of the numerous poems on the death of a beautiful woman in The Messenger, which raises concerns about the durability of Southern belles. The association of melancholy with the death of a beautiful woman implies that these women may have had short lives, contributing to the prevalence of this theme in Southern poetry.

Explanation

The author implies that Southern belles may often have died young. This is suggested by the mention of the numerous poems on the death of a beautiful woman in The Messenger, which raises concerns about the durability of Southern belles. The association of melancholy with the death of a beautiful woman implies that these women may have had short lives, contributing to the prevalence of this theme in Southern poetry.