oDesk UK English Grammar Test (For Writing Professionals) 2015

Choose the option that best completes the following sentence. An antecedent is _______________ .

Ans: d) the beginning of a sentence

Choose the option that best completes the following sentence. In the sentence "To know him is to love him," the phrase "to know him" is _____________

Ans: b) an infinitive phrase acting as a noun

Choose the option that best completes the following sentence. Neither Alice nor Amy mentioned Alan's arrogant behaviour _________________.

Ans: b) lest he lose his temper

Choose the option that best completes the following sentence. The general rule in grammar is to place modifiers _______________ .

Ans: c) as close as possible to the words they modify

Choose the option that best completes the following sentence. Three essential components of a correct comparison between two or more items are _______\

Ans: a) pertinence, relativity and parallel structure

Choose the option that best corrects the comparison error in the underlined part of the following sentence.

With so many young adults entering the workforce, few people are surprised that there are larger numbers of unemployed college graduates than twenty years ago.

Ans: c) than there were twenty years ago

Choose the option that best corrects the diction errors in the underlined part of the following sentence.

After two thrilling hours at the toy store, Gregory was devastated to learn that he'd have to choose between his eleven action figures; you see, the sign at the check out counter said, "Ten items or less."

Ans: c) among his eleven action figures; you see, the sign at the checkout counter said, “Ten or fewer items.”

Choose the option that best corrects the pronoun reference error in the following sentence.

There is advice about marketing, which is invaluable, in Kerstall's new book.

Ans: c) In Kerstall’s new book she offers invaluable advice about marketing

Choose the option that best corrects the pronoun reference error in the underlined part of the following sentence.

When Harold discovered that Robert had misrepresented his qualifications, he was furious.

Ans: c) that Robert had misrepresented Harold’s qualifications, Harold was furious

Choose the option that best corrects the sentence structure error underlined in the following sentence.

The martini, very dry, was sipped taciturnly by Sebastian while Wanda, absentmindedly twirling the little umbrella in her cocktail, stared at him maliciously.

Ans: b) The very dry martini was taciturnly sipped by Sebastian

Choose the option that best corrects the subject-verb agreement error in the underlined part of the following sentence.

Neither volunteering at the fire department nor fundraising for the theatre and schools has stopped Aunt Marnie to help the animals at the local shelter.

Ans: c) has stopped Aunt Marnie from helping

Choose the option that best corrects the subject-verb agreement error in the underlined part of the following sentence.

The stunning beaches, rolling hills, and charming medieval towns of Tuscany explain its popularity with tourists.

Ans: d) none of the above—the original sentence has no error

Choose the option that best corrects the verb tense error in the underlined part of the following sentence.

Just as the second act was about to start, the stage manager came out and told the audience that the lead actress fell ill during intermission and needed the aid of a doctor before the show could go on.

Ans: d) that the lead actress has been ill during intermission and would need the aid of a doctor

Choose the option that best corrects the verb tense error in the underlined part of the following sentence.

The detailed mosaic work on the ancient ancient altar is of such high quality and rare beauty that no modern artwork of the same genre had ever come close to matching it.

Ans: c) no modern artwork of the same genre comes close to matching it

Choose the option that corrects the parallelism error contained in the following sentence.

Greta is either moving to Germany next month or she will stay in Iceland for another year.

Ans: b) Either Greta is moving to Germany next month, or she is staying in Iceland for another year

Choose the option that corrects the parallelism error contained in the following sentence.

Not only does Rachel expect a promotion within the next year but also a significant increase in salary.

Ans: b) Rachel expects not only a promotion within the next year but also a significant increase in salary

Choose the series of modifiers that best completes the following sentence. _________ enough, even though we mixed all those _________ ingredients together, the cake turned out remarkably ________; however, it did smell _________ while it was baking.

Ans: b) Strangely, strange, well, strange

Choose the series of modifiers that best completes the following sentence. We heard your performance was really __________ last night and felt _______ that we had missed it.

Ans: d) good, bad

Choose the series of pronouns that best completes the following sentence. Agatha agreed with John and ____________ even though _______ had previously clashed with _____________ on the subject.

Ans: b) I, she, us

Choose the series of pronouns that best completes the following sentence. I met some tourists, ________ of ________ were university students, at my friend's house.

Ans: d) some, which

Choose the series of pronouns that best completes the following sentence. Only one of the nurses __________ works in the field hospital is certified, and _________ has been out sick for two weeks.

Ans: a) who, she

Choose the series of pronouns that best completes the following sentence. The ideological chasm that stretches between __________ and __________ is impassable.

Ans: a) him, I

Choose the series of verbs that best completes the following passage.

"I heard you ___________ much better since you ___________ that medication," said Randolph. "Not really," _________ Monica. "Now my insomnia ___________ by nightmares."

Ans: d) have been sleeping, started taking, replied, has been replaced

Choose the series of verbs that best completes the following passage.

Garrett ___________ ostracized by the other penguins for so long that he no long that he no longer noticed the way they _________ him. For their part, the others _________ Garrett _________ a rogue.

Ans: a) has been, shun, believe, to be

Choose the series of verbs that best completes the following passage.

Honestly, I _______________ to tolerate that know-it-all air of yours. _________ me __________ my condolences to your wife, who _________ to listen to your incessant lecturing for many years to come.

Ans: a) have never been able, Allow, to renew, will have

Choose the series of verbs that best completes the following passage.

Sally's chronic carelessness ________ her in the hospital again. This time she _______ run over by a tractor as she ________ peacefully in a wheat field.

Ans: b) has landed, was snoozed

Choose the series of verbs that best completes the following sentence. __________ a picky eater my whole life, I ________ I wouldn't like those fried fish lips.

Ans: b) Having been, knew

Choose the series of verbs that best completes the following sentence. _______________ Bertha's eyes to limpid pools of light, Benny sat smugly back in his wing chair and ___________ for Bertha ___________ with delight at his poetic prowess.

Ans: a) Having compared, waited, to swoon

Choose the series of words that correctly completes the following passage. Stanley worked five hours ________ ________ last week in order to Choose the series of words that correctly completes the following passage. Stanley worked five hours ________ ________ last week in order to ________ the company's software. The new _________ is really great! I'm going to _________ some cake and champagne for him. Would you ________ the table in the conference room?

Ans: b) overtime, every day, upgrade, setup, pick up, set up

Choose the verb tense that best completes the following sentence. Sarah was so late arriving home that Mike ____________ to bed.

Ans: c) already went

Complete the following sentence by choosing the pronoun that agrees with the antecedent.

When Crenshaw finally appeared on stage and saved the day, the audience roared _________ approval.

Ans: c) his

Complete the following sentence by choosing the pronouns that agree with the antecedents.

Although both did a good job in ____________ contemporary pieces, the taller dancer showed more flair in ___________.

Ans: c) their, hers

Complete the following sentence by choosing the verbs that agree with the subject.

The arrangements for the reception, which _______ handled exclusive ly by Brown & Mangle, _________ an utter disaster.

Ans: c) were, were

Complete the following sentence by choosing the verbs that agree with the subject.

The clown with his accompanying unicyclists _________ surprised to find that the elephants or the zebra ________ chewing on his rubber noses in the dressing room.

Ans: d) was, were

Identify the sentence that contains a faulty comparison.

Ans: c) Betty thinks that working late hours every day is better than early mornings

Identify the sentence that contains a verb tense error.

Ans: a) Oh, how the queen wished that she had not married the king!

Identify the sentence that contains a verb tense error.

Ans: b) Our science teacher told us that the earth revolved around the sun

Identify the sentence that contains an error in sentence structure.

Ans: c) The island was still far away when I told my father I was tired of swimming

Identify the sentence that illustrates clear pronoun reference.

Ans: b) The clowns told the acrobats that they would receive a bonus afte the performance

Identify the sentence that illustrates correct comparison structure.

Ans: b) The countryside of Austria is more beautiful than that of France

Identify the sentence that illustrates correct comparison structure.

Ans: a and b. a) Did you notice that completing the math questions was much easier than the essay questions?

b) My dad’s barbecued steaks were always tastier than Uncle Dave

Identify the sentence that illustrates correct modifier placement.

Ans: d) We barely have enough time to finish our shopping

Identify the sentence that illustrates correct modifier placement.

Ans: a) Left at home alone, the hurricane terrified the young children

Identify the sentence that illustrates correct pronoun-antecedent agreement.

Ans: d) The snow, which was falling gently, melted on my upturned face.

Identify the sentence that illustrates correct subject-verb agreement.

Ans: d) Jack was the only one of the climbers who were injured

Identify the sentence that illustrates correct use of modifiers.

Ans: a) Of the two companies, Groose & Grouse is the more reliable

Identify the sentence that illustrates correct verb tense usage.

Ans: a) Being an accomplished skier herself, Magda understood that Grandma’s old trophies captured the moments in which Grandma excelled.

Identify the sentence that illustrates correct verb tense usage.

Ans: a) In Austen’s novel, Marianne Dashwood makes a spectacle of herself at the ball and is quickly spirited away by her sister.

Identify the sentence that illustrates proper sentence construction.

Ans: a) We got really lucky with our new bakery. It’s clean, recently refurbished and conveniently located.

Identify the sentence that illustrates proper sentence construction.

Ans: b) His conduct was so enigmatic that I failed to find any explanation for it.

Identify the sentence that is written in active voice.

Ans: d) The supervisor has told us seven times not to unplug all the computers—why do we keep doing it?

Identify the sentence that is written in active voice.

Ans: c) The waiter cleared our plates before we had even finished dessert.