MINI-TEST 4: STYLISTIC PROBLEMS

Part A: Structure

Directions

Each sentence in Part A is an incomplete sentence. Four words or phrases, marked (A), (B), (C),
(D) are given beneath each sentence. You are to choose the one word or phrase that best
completes the sentence. Remember to eliminate answers that are incorrect and to choose the one
that would be correct in formal written English.

1. The defendant refused to answer the prosecutors questions .

(A) Because he was afraid it would incriminate him
(B) For fear that they will incriminate him.
(C) Because he was afraid that his answer would incriminate him
(D) Fearing that he will be incriminated by it

2. will Mr. Forbes be able to regain control of the company.

(A) With hard work
(B) In spite of his hard work
(C) Only if he work hardly
(D) Only with hard work

3. Mrs. Walker has returned .

(A) A wallet back to its original owner
(B) To its original owner the wallet
(C) The wallet to its originally owner
(D) The wallet to its original owner

4. The hospital owes for the construction of the new wing.

(A) The government twenty million dollars
(B) For the government twenty million dollars
(C) To the government twenty million dollars
(D) Twenty million of dollars to the government

5. Maria that she could not attend classes next week.

(A) Told to her professor
(B) Said her professor
(C) Told her professor
(D) Is telling her professor

6. Having been asked to speak at the convention, .

(A) Some notes were prepared for Dr. Casagrande
(B) Dr. Casagrande prepared some notes
(C) The convention members were pleased to hear Dr. Casagrande
 (D) Some notes were prepared by Dr. Casagrande

7. So many people been out of work as today.

(A) More than ever before
(B) Never before have
(C) In the past, there never have
(D) Formerly, there never were

8. The artist was asked to show some paintings at the contest because .
(A) He painted very good
(B) They believed he painted well
(C) Of their belief that he was an good artist
(D) The judges had been told of his talents
9. Having finished lunch, .
(A) The detectives began to discuss the case
(B) The case was discussed again by the detectives
(C) They discussed the case
(D) A bunch of detectives discussed the case

10. Ms. Sierra offered because she had faith in his capabilities.
(A) To Mr. Armstrong the position
(B) Mr. Armstrong the position
(C) The position for Mr. Armstrong
(D) Mr. Armstrong to the position

11. Did Jerome accept the job

(A) Only because it was interesting work
(B) Because it was interesting work
(C) Only because it was interested work
(D) The work was interesting

12. Were slowly lowered to the ground for medical attention.

(A) The victims who were screaming and who were burning
(B) The screaming burn victims
(C) The screamed burnt victims
(D) The victims who were burning screamed

13. This car has many features including .

(A) Stereo, safety devices, air condition, and it saves gas
(B) Good music, safe devices, air conditioning, and gas
(C) Stereo, safety devices, air conditioned, and good gas
(D) Stereo, safety devices, air conditioning, and low gas mileage

14. The proposal was tabled that it would be helpful.

(A) Temporarily because there was not sufficient evidence
(B) Because for the time being there were not sufficient evidence
 (C) Because at the present time there was not sufficient evidence
(D) Temporarily because there was not sufficient enough evidence

15. Adams was dismissed from his position .

(A) Because his financial records were improperly
(B) Because financewise he kept poor records
(C) For keeping improper financial records
(D) For keep financial records that were improper

Part B: Written Expression

Direction

Each question on this mini-test consists of a sentence in which four words or phrases are
underlined. The four underlined parts of the sentence are marked A, B, C, D. You are to identify
the one underlined word or phrase that would nit be acceptable in standard written English.
Circle the letter of the underlined portion which is not correct.

16. Some Italian scholars stressed the study of grammar, rhetoric, learning about history, and
A B C D
poetry.

17. When the tank car carried the toxic gas derailed, the firemen tried to isolate the village
A B C
from all traffic.
D

18. While the boys were ice skating, they slip on the thin ice and fell into the deep water.
A B C D

19. If motorists do not observe the traffic regulations, they will be stopped, ticketed, and
A B C
have to pay a fine.
D

20. Fred, who usually conducts the choir rehearsals, did not show up last night because he
A B
had an accident on his way to the practice.
C D

21. A short time before her operation last month, Mrs. Carlyle dreams of her daughter who
A B C
lives overseas.
D

22. The atmosphere in Andalucia is open, warm, and gives welcome feeling to all who have
 A B C
the good fortune to visit there.
D

23. Now that they have successfully passed to TOEFL, the students were ready to begin their
A B C D
classes at the university.

24. Being that he was a good swimmer, John jumped into the water and rescued the
A B C
drowning child.
D

25. Some of the people were standing in the street watched the parade, while others were
A B C D
singing songs.

26. The carpenters tried to join together the pieces of the broken beam, but found it
A B C D
impossible to do.

27. As soon as Pete had arrived, he told us that he will be leaving for London tomorrow after
A B C
the board meeting.
D

28. In Rome, Venice, and other cities, there developed an intellectual movement called
A B
humanism which is the basis of the Renaissance.
C D

29. The teacher repeated the assignment again for the students, since they had difficulty
A B C
understanding what to do after it had explained it the first time.
D

30. The way we react to other people, the educational training we received, and the
A B
knowledge we display are all part of our cultural heritage.
C D

31. When you come after class this afternoon, we discussed the possibility of your waiting a
A B C D
research paper.

32. Mantovani conducted the orchestra gracefully and with style to the delight of his
A B C
appreciative audience.
D
 33. Having finished his term paper before the deadline, it was delivered to the professor
A B C
before the class.
D

34. After learning all the details about the project, the contractor told us them at the planning
A B C D
meeting.

35. The new students progress advanced forward with such speed that all his teacher were
A B C
amazed.
D

36. After Mr. Peabody had died, the money from his estate reverted back to the company
A B
which he had served as president for ten years.
C D

37. In the distance could be seen the sleepy little village with their closely clustered adobe
A B C D
houses and red, clay-tile roofs.

38. Although the weather was not perfect, a bunch of people turned out for the annual
A B C D
parade.

39. After she had dressed and ate breakfast, Lucy rushed off to her office for a meeting with
A B C D
her accountant.

40. After the rain had let out, the Mitchells continued their hike up the mountain.
A B C D

MINI-TEST 5: PROBLEM VOCABULARY AND PREPOSITIONS

Directions

Select the correct word to complete each sentence.

1. Scientist are trying to (device/devise) an inexpensive substitute for gasoline.

2. On Halloween night, most children dress in (costumes/customs) and go from house
asking for treats.
3. Mr. Millers prejudice (of/toward) his neighbors caused him to be ostracized.
4. (besides/beside) geology, Herman has studying math, French, and literature.
5. Melanie said that she would arrive (later/latter) than the rest of us.
6. Despite his sore muscle, Paul planned on participating (with/in) the Olympic skating.
7. A fear (at/of) closed-in areas is called claustrophobia.
 8. After being apprehended, all hijackers are (persecuted/prosecuted).
9. Mitzi didnt (loose/lose) any time in applying for the teaching position in math.
10. The letters were (already/all ready) for mailing when we realized that we had written the
wrong addresses on the envelopes.
11. This report is (quite/quiet) complete and needs no revision.
12. Professor Baker teaches the same number of hours per week as Professor Jones, but the
(later/letter) always looks more tired.
13. Ms. David asked us to help pass (out/up) some free (samples/examples).
14. Julies skirt will be (to/too) (lose/loose) for her sister to wear.
15. Even though Marlon Brando had won an Oscar, he refused to (except/accept) it at the
presentation ceremonies.

In the following sentences, choose the form in parentheses that means the same as the underlined
word or words.

16. Louis was depending on the Pittsburgh Steelers to win the championship. (picking
out/counting on)
17. Dr. Clements distributed the materials at the deans conference. (passed out/brought out)
18. Archeologist continue searching for buried Egyptian treasures. (keep on/do away with)
19. Four armed mean robbed the bank last week and escaped with undetermined amount of
cash. (help up/pointed out)
20. We had to postpone the meeting because too many people had the flu. (drop out of/put
off)
21. When Karen became ill, her colleagues had to manage without her. (get along/take off)
22. The department chairman asked his staff to help with the registration. (called on/counted
on)
23. If we terminate our relations with that country, well have to find another supplier of raw
materials. (break off/draw up)
24. After arriving at the check-in counter, Dennis discovered that he was in the wrong
airport. (found out/pointed out)
25. Kevin quit the engineering program because he found it too difficult. (checked out
of/dropped out of)
26. The gasoline fumes caused Mike to faint. (pass out/break off)
27. The baseball game had to be postponed because of the inclement weather. (put of/put on)
28. All bids for the project had to be submitted by November 1. (turned in/drawn up)
29. Because she is so tall, Sandy doesnt like high-heeled shoes. (care for/pick out)
30. My adviser indicated numerous errors in my proposal and told me to rewrite it. (figured
out/pointed out).