oDesk U.S. English Basic Skills Test Answers 2015

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1. Which of the following sentences illustrates the proper use of apostrophes?
Answers:
• Helga borrowed her friend's skates for the day; however, she failed to return them.
• Thousand's of bargains are available during the holiday season, but I cant find time to shop.
• The koala bear closed it's eyes and fell fast asleep.
• Although I like the Joneses, I'm angry at them for breaking all of Ralphs' tools.

2. Which of the following sentences illustrates proper sentence structure?
Answers:
• Walking down the street, my eyes were drawn to a diamond in a store window.
• A small red car pulled up behind the woman with tinted windows.
• The man in the black cape mounted his powerful stallion and rode away.
• The cats chased the birds around the yard with the yellow beaks.
3. Which of the following sentences illustrates the proper use of parallel construction?
Answers:
• Terry hoped to find a new job that would let him earn extra cash in the summer and to work fewer hours.
• Although Tommy was failing his biology class at college, he was passing his chemistry class.
• Trina loved to sail, skate, swim, and surfing.
• Tatiana declared that the people in her office are smarter than the people who work in Tad's office.
4. Complete the following sentence by choosing the phrase with the best word order from the options given.

The excited children, who had run toward the loud _____________ .
Answers:
• music and then told the others about the ice cream truck outside
• music, are telling to the others about the ice cream truck outside
• ice cream truck to tell the others about the music outside
• music, told the others about the ice cream truck outside
5. Read the following question and choose the response that uses the correct corresponding verb tense.

Did you see the show last night?
Answers:
• No, because by the time I got there all the tickets had already been sold.
• Yes, and it was one of the best shows I had ever seen.
• Yes, but my seat was behind a pole so I couldn't barely see anything.
• No, but I am hope to see it tonight.
6. Complete the following sentence by choosing the phrase with the best word order from the options given.

Only after they had completed an exhaustive study __________ how to adapt the technology to the needs of our company.
Answers:
• did they understand to begin
• did they begin to understand
• they did begin to understand
• to understand did they begin
7. Complete the following sentence by choosing the phrase with the best word order from the options given.

Those who are not wise ____________  .
Answers:
• do not need be necessarily stupid
• need not necessarily be stupid
• need not to be necessarily stupid
• does not need to be necessarily stupid
8. Choose the series of verbs and phrases that best completes the following passage.

This dish _________ too spicy. Why __________ so much pepper?
Answers:
• is, did the chef have to use
• was, the chef is using
• is, did the chef use
• was, the chef used
• a and c
9. Choose the series of articles and conjunctions that best completes the following sentence.

Neither we ________ Sal, our neighbor, could understand ________ it had been our dog Rover or Sal's cat's kittens _________ had destroyed all the flower beds in the middle of _______ night.
Answers:
• nor, whether, that, the
• or, if, who, the
• and, whether, than, a
• nor, if, that, a
10. Choose the series of verbs that best completes the following sentence.

Alison regrets _________ you with her remarks; she never meant _________ so.
Answers:
• to hurt, doing
• to hurt, to do
• hurting, doing
• hurting, to do
11. Which of the following sentences is NOT punctuated correctly?
Answers:
• We expect only three things from our dog: loyalty, affection, and tail wagging.
• I need you to pick up several boxes of paperclips, pens, and pencils; three pounds each of potatoes, carrots, and peas; and my dry cleaning.
• Marcy, my parrot, squawked for an hour, before finally calming down.
• All of the above are punctuated correctly.
12. Which of the following sentences does NOT illustrate correct verb and verb tense usage?
Answers:
• These repetitive and misleading guidelines could easily be interpreted in several different ways.
• Clarabelle's mother absolutely hated nicknames and always calls her daughter by her full name.
• The Imagist movement in poetry is commonly regarded as having begun in the early twentieth century.
• We all danced across the lawn and lifted Zoe above our heads in triumph.
13. Which of the following sentences illustrates incorrect pronoun usage?
Answers:
• The wet dog shook itself off, wagged its tail, and proceeded on its way.
• Don't take the silver goblet out of its protective case or you'll ruin it.
• You should wear that jacket to their wedding because it's the nicest one you have.
• It's not too late to answer their ad for a waitress, is it?
• None of the above
14. Which of the following sentences illustrate(s) the proper use of commas?
Answers:
• Randy wanted to end the meeting, but Amy wanted to prolong it.
• After pouring herself a glass of water in silence, Nicky answered my question.
• The committee, which had failed to come to a consensus decided to meet again on Tuesday.
• Mr. Bridges is never home on the weekends, he always goes to his home in the country.
• a and b
• All of the above
15. Choose the series of pronouns that best completes the following sentence.

Victor, who stole _______ ideas and used them to make _______ a millionaire, never once offered _______ a word of thanks.
Answers:
• our, himself, we
• their, them, himself
• your, us, you
• our, himself, us
16. Choose the series of prepositions that best completes the following sentence.

Although the issue was very serious, the committee disposed ______ it in a few minutes and moved _______ to other business.
Answers:
• onto, off
• of, away
• on, out
• of, on
17. Choose the series of prepositions that best completes the following passage.

Although Marvin said he had hidden the keys _______ the flower pot, we were unable to find them  _______ the dark. In the end, we waited for him at the coffee shop ___________ the corner.
Answers:
• under, in, around
• in, with, at
• around, at, on
• beside, from, around
18. Rearrange the following words to create the most logical and grammatically correct sentence.

work . is always to brother willing not My
Answers:
• My brother is not willing to work always.
• My brother is not always willing to work.
• is not willing to work always My brother.
• My work is not willing to always brother.
19. Change the following sentence from a quotation to indirect speech.

"I'm not feeling well," Agatha said.
Answers:
• Agatha has said that she doesn't feel well.
• According to Agatha, she isn't feeling well.
• Agatha said she wasn't feeling well.
• Agatha says she isn't feeling well.
20. Which of the following sentences illustrates proper sentence structure?
Answers:
• Everyone knows that a mango is much sweeter to an orange.
• I saw the girl with my own eyes who said she had been abducted by aliens.
• Either one of you should try and to fix their broken fence.
• The queen had hardly finished her speech when the people began to disperse.
21. Choose the verb that best completes the following sentence.

Do you know if Harlon ____________Japanese before moving to Japan?
Answers:
• has studied
• has been studying
• will have been studying
• will be studying
22. Which of the following sentences is NOT punctuated correctly?
Answers:
• All of the apple's at the grocer's were rotten, so I bought oranges instead.
• "Seven canteens full of water should be enough for the hike," said Tabitha.
• Until the stove is fixed, there's no way I can bake a lemon meringue pie.
• The woman, whose name escapes me at the moment, disappeared into the limousine.
23. Choose the series of prepositions that best completes the following sentence.

Jeremy drove his motorcycle _______ the bridge, _______ the hill, and _______ the diner before finally parking it _______ two police cars.
Answers:
• beside, among, behind, near
• beneath, over, under, on
• across, down, past, between
• under, around, through, into
24. Choose the series of prepositions that best completes the following sentence.

The deer ran quickly _______  the trees, its hooves pounding _______  the forest floor.
Answers:
• amid, from
• over, at
• through, on
• throughout, on
25. Which of the following sentences illustrates correct verb and verb tense usage?
Answers:
• Until the snow is melting, the train is not able to move.
• Until the snow does not melt, the train will not be able to move.
• Until the snow melts, the train will not be able to move.
• Until the snow will melt, the train will not be able to move.
26. Choose the series of articles and conjunctions that best completes the following sentence.

I think Fran could be ______ great public speaker, _______ she is still too shy to try it.
Answers:
• the, although
• a, but
• an, however
• a, and
27. Choose the series of pronouns that best completes the following sentence.

After realizing that our hosts hadn't actually invited ______ to ______ party, ______  excused ______  from the table and slipped out the back door.
Answers:
• us, their, we, ourselves
• ourselves, theirs, we, us
• them, our, they, themselves
• us, our, we, himself
28. Read the following question and choose the response that uses the correct corresponding verb tense.

Does Jack wear that furry hat often?
Answers:
• No, he just liked to wear it for fun sometimes.
• Yes, but don't said anything about it to him.
• Yes, and it can so annoying!
• No, he only wears it when his ears are cold.
29. Choose the series of verbs that best completes the following passage.

I find it very hard to remember _________ letters that are entrusted to me. In fact, I remember _________ to do so dozens of times!
Answers:
• to mail, forgetting
• mailing, to forget
• to mail, to forget
• mailing, forgetting
30. Choose the series of prepositions that best completes the following sentence.

Charlotte knew ___________ the secret investigation _________ her past, but she closed her eyes to it and pretended it wasn't happening.
Answers:
• of, about
• on, of
• about, to
• of, after
31. Which of the following sentences illustrates correct verb and verb tense usage?
Answers:
• Did Annabel knowingly lie on the witness stand?
• We think the judge will have noticed something strange in her behavior.
• The lawyers had decided to keep her testimony a secret.
• Somehow, all of the newspapers gotten hold of the story.
32. Choose the series of adjectives and adverbs that best completes the following sentence.

I think Pamela deserves to be punished for her __________ stupid and __________ behavior.
Answers:
• irresponsible, totally
• totally, irresponsibility
• totally, irresponsible
• total, irresponsibly
33. Rearrange the following words to create the most logical and grammatically correct sentence.

with can't phone . on Whenever always to the time spend I speak I my friend , him
Answers:
• Whenever I always phone on my friend to speak, I can't spend the time with him.
• Whenever I spend time on the phone to him, I can't always speak with my friend.
• Whenever I speak to him, I can't always spend time with my friend on the phone.
• Whenever I can't speak to him on the phone, I always spend time with my friend.
• Whenever I can't spend time with my friend, I always speak to him on the phone.
34. Choose the series of articles and conjunctions that best completes the following sentence.

_______ she was feeling ill, Teresa wanted to eat only _____ apple _____ some soup.
Answers:
• Yet, the, or
• After, an, and
• Because, an, or
• If, a, and
35. Choose the series of pronouns that best completes the following sentence.

That house used to be ______ , but ______ have given it to ______.
Answers:
• my, I, her
• mine, me, her
• mine, I, her
• myself, she, her
36. Change the following sentence from a quotation to indirect speech.

"It may snow tomorrow," he said.
Answers:
• He said it should snow tomorrow.
• He might say it will snow tomorrow.
• He says it may snow tomorrow.
• He said it might snow the next day.
37. Which of the following sentences illustrates correct usage of articles and conjunctions?
Answers:
• The cake that I ate was better that the one you had.
• An house is not the home, or so they saying goes.
• For my birthday, I would like a book, an hourglass, and the keys to a new boat.
• Has a package I've been waiting for been delivered yet, nor must I wait longer?
38. Change the following sentence from a quotation to indirect speech.

Rhonda says, "I get to work early every day."
Answers:
• Rhonda says she gets to work early every day.
• Rhonda said she gets to work early every day.
• Rhonda has said that she got to work early every day.
• Rhonda says she had gotten to work early every day.
39. Which of the following sentences illustrates correct usage of articles and conjunctions?
Answers:
• Celine lives on Arthur Street; however, she works on Beatrice Boulevard.
• I would eat a peach every day if I could, nor the doctor told me I couldn't.
• Will Gertrude play the piano or an harp at the concert?
• Although she is angry at them, neither her son and her father will be at the party.
40. Choose the series of adjectives and adverbs that best completes the following sentence.

While __________ of our relatives live on the __________ hill in the county, __________ of our friends live in the __________ __________ areas of the valley.
Answers:
• more, windy, many, most, protection
• most, windier, more, most, protective
• many, windiest, most, more, protected
• many, winding, more, most, protected
41. Rearrange the following words to create the most logical and grammatically correct sentence.

last what ! it's did you night, over After
Answers:
• After what night, it's over you did last!
• After what you did last night, it's over!
• over what you did last night, it's After!
• After, it's over what you did last night!
42. Choose the series of pronouns that best completes the following sentence.

_______  is the name of the opera, and _______ role did you say Maria would play?
Answers:
• This, which
• Who, that
• What, which
• Which, what
43. Which of the following sentences does NOT illustrate proper use of articles and conjunctions?
Answers:
• I thought about keeping an orangutan as a pet; however, my apartment complex does not allow exotic animals on the premises.
• Bertha decided to change a locks of her house after burglars stole a computer or an oil painting.
• After thinking about the problem for half an hour, Glen finally came up with a perfect solution.
• Arlene loves nature and the outdoors in general, yet she spends most of her time inside because of her job.
44. Choose the series of adjectives and adverbs that best completes the following sentence.

The helium-__________ balloon rose __________ into the air; the villagers knew then that their __________ leader was off on another mission.
Answers:
• power, powerful, powered
• powered, powered, powerful
• powered, powerfully, powerful
• powerful, powered, powerfully
45. Rearrange the following words to create the most logical and grammatically correct sentence.

days . for last has good weather few The been the not
Answers:
• weather for The last few good has not been the days.
• The good days has not been for the last few weather.
• The few days has not been good for the last weather.
• The weather has not been good for the last few days.
46. Which of the following sentences is punctuated correctly?
Answers:
• 'Come here, she said, and let me get a good look at you.'
• Come here she said, and let me get a good look at you.
• "Come here," she said. "and let me get a good look at you."
• "Come here," she said, "and let me get a good look at you."
47. Change the following sentence from a quotation to indirect speech.

Carol has said, "I am responsible for this project."
Answers:
• Carol has said that she is responsible for this project.
• Carol says she is responsible for this project.
• Carol said that she was responsible for this project.
• Carol had said that she would be responsible for this project.
48. Choose the phrase that best completes the sentence below without creating a run-on sentence.

Mr. Peach has sent his four children to Ivy League colleges __________ he has sacrificed his health working day and night in that dusty factory.
Answers:
• however
• ; however,
• , however
• however,
49. Choose the series of pronouns that best completes the following sentence.

Don't ________ think Larry should call ________ wife if ________ is going to be late for dinner?
Answers:
• you, his, he
• we, your, his
• he, his, he
• you, his, himself
50. Choose the series of adjectives and adverbs that best completes the following sentence.

Knowing that February was the _________ month of the year, Cheryl planned her vacation ___________.
Answers:
• short, in accordance
• shortest, accordingly
• shorter, according
• shortness, accordion
51. Choose the series of prepositions that best completes the following sentence.

I placed my notes _______ my desk and referred to them _______ the meeting.
Answers:
• at, among
• beside, during
• with, at
• upon, around
52. Which of the following sentences illustrates correct pronoun usage?
Answers:
• Is those the set of plates the bride wanted, or did she want this set?
• Which of these glasses is half full—that one or this one?
• To whom did them give the gold medal?
• Whose book is that—his or our?
• None of the above
53. Choose the series of prepositions that best completes the following sentence.

Jack, leaning casually ________ the tree, watched as Sally walked slowly ________ him.
Answers:
• against, toward
• toward, against
• upon, past
• off, beside
54. Read the following question and choose the response that uses the correct corresponding verb tense.

Will you be going to the company picnic this year?
Answers:
• Yes, I will have always gone every year.
• No, unfortunately I didn't have time this year.
• Yes, and I plan on swimming, fishing, and eating all day!
• I might go if I had known about it sooner.
55. Choose the series of verbs that best completes the following sentence.

Everyone __________  too busy cooking and __________ the campsite __________ the family of bears __________ from the woods.
Answers:
• were, setting up, to notice, watch
• was, set up, noticing, to watch
• is, setting, to notice, watching
• was, setting up, to notice, watching
56. Change the following sentence from a quotation to indirect speech.

"I can meet with you at noon," said Peter.
Answers:
• Peter says he can meet with me at noon.
• Peter said he will meet with me at noon.
• Peter said he could meet with me at noon.
• Peter can meet with me at noon, so he said.
57. Choose the phrase that best completes the sentence below without creating a run-on sentence.

It's never too late to learn how to swim ________________ you may fall off a boat!
Answers:
• , you never know when
• you never know when
• —you never know as
• ; you never know when
58. Choose the series of adjectives and adverbs that best completes the following sentence.

Of the two books, Sam's is definitely the __________ ; however, even though Sandra's didn't turn out as __________ as expected, she still did a __________ job of writing it.
Answers:
• better, well, good
• best, good, good
• better, good, better
• best, well, well
59. Change the following sentence from a quotation to indirect speech.

"I will be moving soon," said Alma.
Answers:
• Alma said she would be moving soon.
• Alma said she will move soon.
• Alma says she'll be moving soon.
• Alma says she would move soon.
60. Choose the series of adjectives and adverbs that best completes the following sentence.

The archaeologists were ________ to discover such a __________ and __________ _________ artifact at that mostly uncovered site.
Answers:
• amazing, rarely, incredible, beautifully
• amazed, rare, incredibly, beautiful
• beautiful, rarity, amazingly, incredible
• amazingly, beautiful, rarely, incredible
61. Read the original sentence below and then choose the rewritten sentence that illustrates proper sentence structure.

ORIGINAL SENTENCE:
It is easy to carry solid objects, but the same cannot be said of liquids.

REWRITTEN SENTENCES:
Answers:
• Unlike liquids, solid objects are easy to carry.
• Unlike liquids, we can easily carry solid objects.
• Unlike liquids; solid objects can easily be carried.
• Unlike liquids, solid objects easy to be carried.
62. Change the following sentence from a quotation to indirect speech.

Jerry said, "I saw my cousin at the fair."
Answers:
• Jerry had said he'd seen his cousin at the fair.
• Jerry said he had seen his cousin at the fair.
• Jerry said he'd saw his cousin at the fair.
• Jerry says he saw his cousin at the fair.
63. Choose the series of adjectives and adverbs that best completes the following sentence.

The _______ , _______ odor was ________ coming from the chemistry lab up the street.
Answers:
• pungent, nastily, clearness
• pungently, nastily, clearly
• pungently, nasty, clear
• nasty, pungent, clearly
64. Choose the series of verbs that best completes the following sentence.

If Harry __________ to the party too early, don't let him in; he __________ outside like everyone else.
Answers:
• gets, will have to wait
• got, waits
• gets, is waiting
• has gotten, must be waiting
65. Choose the series of prepositions that best completes the following sentence.

Whiskey, my pet squirrel, jumped ________ my head and ________ the windowsill.
Answers:
• over, onto
• through, into
• from, under
• into, onto
66. Rearrange the following words to create the most logical and grammatically correct sentence.

sleeping likes the . midday Katie until on weekends
Answers:
• sleeping Katie likes until midday on the weekends.
• Katie likes sleeping until weekends on the midday.
• Katie likes on sleeping until the midday weekends.
• Katie likes sleeping on midday until the weekends.
• Katie likes sleeping until midday on the weekends.
67. Choose the series of adjectives and adverbs that best completes the following sentence.

We were surprised when the ________ parade ________ turned into a ________ party!
Answers:
• dull, suddenly, wild
• duller, all of a sudden, wilder
• dullest, suddenly, wildest
• dull, sudden, wild
68. Choose the option that correctly changes the original sentence from active voice to passive voice.

ORIGINAL SENTENCE:
That tall man is carrying a lot of lumber.

REWRITTEN SENTENCES:
Answers:
• The tall man carries a lot of lumber.
• Is being carried by that tall man, the lumber.
• The lumber is carried by the tall man.
• A lot of lumber is being carried by that tall man.
69. Rearrange the following words to create the most logical and grammatically correct sentence.

would I have it anything if had . I you known said would not bother
Answers:
• Would I have not said anything if you had known it would bother I?
• I would not have said anything if I had known it would bother you.
• Had I known if it would bother you I would not have said anything.
• If I had known it would not bother you I would have said anything.
70. Change the following sentence from a quotation to indirect speech.

"Sharon must go to the bank today," said Albert.
Answers:
• Albert says Sharon will have to go to the bank today.
• Albert said Sharon has to go to the bank today.
• Albert says Sharon must go to the bank today.
• Albert said Sharon had to go to the bank that day.
71. Choose the series of articles and conjunctions that best completes the following sentence.

Lilacs ______ violets are usually purple, ______ I have seen some ______ are white.
Answers:
• and, however, that
• or, yet, which
• and, although, that
• or, but, and
72. Choose the series of articles and conjunctions that best completes the following sentence.

Julia, who is studying to be _______foreign correspondent, is currently doing _______ internship in _______ Middle East _______  will return before the end of _______  year.
Answers:
• (no article required), an, the, but, the
• the, a, the, however, a
• a, an, (no article required), yet, a
• a, an, the, but, the
73. Rearrange the following words to create the most logical and grammatically correct sentence.

your company name ? of What the is
Answers:
• What is the company of your name?
• your company What is the name of?
• What is the name of your company?
• The name of your company What is?