Diagnostic
Content
Diagnostic Tests of English Skills
1
DIAGNOSTIC TESTS OF ENGLISH SKILLS
NAME______________________________________________SCORE__________________
ENGLISH SKILLS TEST A
The following choices apply to items 1–10. Write in each blank the letter of the choice that best describes the
problem with each sentence.
A. sentence incomplete
B. too many phrases/clauses strung together
C. modifying elements misplaced (dangling)
D. structure not parallel
E. nothing wrong
____
1. Stop here.
____
2. Your duties are interviewing, hiring, and also to fire employees.
____
3. After their presentation, I was still undecided.
____
4. Speaking freely, the stock was considered a bargain.
____
5. Margaret, pressed for time, turned in unusually sloppy work.
____
6. Typing and filing, routine office chores.
____
7. With care, edit the report.
____
8. When Paul came to work here, he brought some outmoded ideas, now he has accepted our modern
methods.
____
9. To plan is better than improvising.
____
10. Hoping to improve performance, practice is advisable.
The following choices apply to items 11–20. Write in each blank the letter of the choice that identifies the
underlined word(s) in each sentence.
A. subject
B. predicate (verb)
C. object
D. modifier
E. conjunction/preposition
____
11. Take his memo upstairs.
____
12. Before leaving, he repaired the photocopier.
____
13. Velnor, Inc. will soon introduce a new product line.
____
14. We must hire only qualified, ambitious graduates.
____
15. They are having trouble with their quality control systems.
____
16. After she wrote the report, Jill waited eagerly for a response.
____
17. The route to the plant isn’t paved yet.
Diagnostic Tests of English Skills
____
18. See me after the meeting.
____
19. Your new home is ready and waiting.
____
20. BFL is large but caring.
2
The following choices apply to items 21–30. Write in each blank the letter of the choice that best describes each
sentence.
A. all punctuation used correctly
B. some punctuation used incorrectly or incorrectly omitted
____
21. The president who rarely gave interviews, agreed to write an article for the company newsletter.
____
22. Give the assignment to Karen Schiff, the new technical writer.
____
23. Could you please send a replacement for Item No. 2-302.
____
24. Debbie said that, “technicians must have technical degrees.”
____
25. We’ll have branches in Bakersfield, California, Reno, Nevada, and Medford, Oregon.
____
26. Before leaving her secretary finished typing the memo.
____
27. How many of you consider yourselves “computer literate?”
____
28. This, then, is our goal: to increase market share by 50 percent.
____
29. They plan to move soon, however, they still should be invited.
____
30. Health, wealth, and happiness—those are my personal goals.
The following choices apply to items 31–40. Write in each blank the letter of the choice that best describes the
problem with each sentence.
A. error in punctuation
B. error in use of abbreviations or symbols
C. error in use of numbers
D. error in capitalization
E. no errors
____
31. Most of last year’s sales came from the midwest.
____
32. We can provide the items you are looking for @ $2 each.
____
33. Alex noted: “few of our competitors have tried this approach.”
____
34. Address the letter to professor Elliott Barker, Psychology Department, North Dakota State University.
____
35. They’ve recorded 22 complaints since yesterday, all of them from long-time employees.
____
36. Leslie’s presentation—“New Markets for the Nineties”—was well organized.
____
37. We’re having a sale in the childrens’ department, beginning Wednesday, August 15.
____
38. About 50 of the newly inducted members will be present.
____
39. Mister Spencer has asked me to find ten volunteers.
____
40. Let’s meet in Beth and Larry’s office at one o’clock.
Diagnostic Tests of English Skills
In items 41–50, write in each blank the letter of the word that best completes each sentence.
____
41. Will having a degree (A. affect, B. effect) my chances for promotion?
____
42. Place the latest drawings (A. beside, B. besides) the others.
____
43. Try not to (A. loose, B. lose) this key; we will charge you a fee to replace it.
____
44. Let us help you choose the right tie to (A. complement, B. compliment) your look.
____
45. The five interviewers should discuss the candidates’ qualifications (A. among,
B. between) themselves.
____
46. New employees spend their time looking for (A. perspective, B. prospective) clients.
____
47. Are the goods you received different (A. from, B. than) the goods you ordered?
____
48. He took those courses to (A. farther, B. further) his career.
____
49. We are (A. anxious, B. eager) to see you next Thursday.
____ 50. All commissions will be (A. disbursed, B. dispensed, C. dispersed) on the second Friday of every
month.
3
Diagnostic Tests of English Skills
4
NAME______________________________________________SCORE__________________
ENGLISH SKILLS TEST B
The following choices apply to items 1–10. Write in each blank the letter of the choice that best describes the
problem with each sentence.
A. sentence incomplete
B. too many phrases/clauses strung together
C. modifying elements misplaced (dangling)
D. structure not parallel
E. nothing wrong
____
1. Act first, and ask questions later.
____
2. Before introducing a new product, research must be done.
____
3. She completed her master’s degree to make herself eligible for promotion, and she made sure her boss
knew she was qualified.
____
4. Knowing and doing are two different things.
____
5. The school is responsible for children’s safety in the classroom and playground.
____
6. To be sure.
____
7. Presented one at a time, those points made an impact, and the audience should be able to remember
them the next time they face a problem like the one discussed.
____
8. Helen’s proposal is for not only the present but also for the future.
____
9. In one ear, out the other.
____
10. Knowing Jim, he would rather interview the applicants.
The following choices apply to items 11–20. Write in each blank the letter of the choice that identifies the
underlined word(s) in each sentence.
A. subject
B. predicate (verb)
C. object
D. modifier
E. conjunction/preposition
____
11. Please wait for my analysis.
____
12. A woman with all your experience should be a real asset.
____
13. Because they were late, they missed the most important part.
____
14. Was it you, or was it Robert?
____
15. Marketing is a broad and important function.
____
16. Asking Gretchen for advice is a good way to impress her.
____
17. Once it thaws, frozen fish quickly deteriorates.
____
18. The purpose of the survey is to determine consumer needs.
____
19. To learn more about federal requirements, consult the appendix.
Diagnostic Tests of English Skills
____
5
20. Didn’t we just order a new set of templates?
The following choices apply to items 21–30. Write in each blank the letter of the choice that best describes each
sentence.
A. all punctuation used correctly
B. some punctuation used incorrectly or incorrectly omitted
____
21. The office, with the most windows, is reserved for the highest-level executive.
____
22. Could you please reply by May 1.
____ 23. Send copies to Jackie Cross, Uniline, Brad Nardi, Peale & Associates, and Tom Griesbaum,
MatchMakers.
____
24. “How many new chairs should we order,” Steve asked.
____
25. AgAmer, Inc., is moving to Ames, Iowa, because of the motivated labor force there.
____
26. Bring three items, paper, pencil, and eraser, with you Tuesday.
____
27. How would you like to drive away in this shiny brand-new car?
____
28. Do you remember who said that “the show must go on”?
____
29. The manual, which weighs 5 pounds, documents every policy decision made in the past ten years.
____ 30. Please send us a complete set of Office Mates, including: pen and pencil, desk pad/calendar, and
calculator.
The following choices apply to items 31–40. Write in each blank the letter of the choice that best describes the
problem with each sentence.
A. error in punctuation
B. error in use of abbreviations or symbols
C. error in use of numbers
D. error in capitalization
E. no errors
____
31. Have you found “The Coming Shakeout In Takeout”?
____
32. Only eight banks in this country—maybe nine can handle a transaction of this magnitude.
____
33. We have forwarded your letter to Rep. Glaser in Washington.
____
34. Have you written Pam and Joanne’s bonus checks yet?
____
35. Parsons & Parsons, Inc., is sending a rep to the trade show in Las Vegas, Nevada.
____
36. We need six desks, six desk chairs, and 12 side chairs.
____
37. Fax these figures, which are newly calculated, to the Dallas branch by three p.m.
____ 38. We requested confirmation on May 12, however, you did not actually confirm the arrangements until
May 29.
____
39. As you may know, Mister Evans, we are moving our offices.
____
40. We are looking for two qualities in applicants: Experience with computers and an interest in people.
Diagnostic Tests of English Skills
In items 41–50, write in each blank the letter of the word that best completes each sentence.
____
41. I don’t want to discuss my (A. personal, B. personnel) problems in front of anyone.
____
42. They’ve chosen a (A. coarse, B. course) that will help them achieve their goals.
____
43. Stress always (A. precedes, B. proceeds) my headaches.
____
44. Mayfair Shoppes will (A. adept, B. adopt) a new returns policy next month.
____
45. Turn on the main unit before you turn on (A. its, B. it’s) auxiliary units.
____
46. Can you (A. disapprove, B. disprove) Professor Weinert’s theory?
____
47. Her report is (A. to, B. too, C. two) detailed for the audience.
____
48. Should we wait (A. for, B. on) them to finish before we start our study?
____
49. Those inflated profits are just an (A. allusion, B. illusion).
____
50. My raise was much bigger (A. than, B. then) I expected.
6
1
DIAGNOSTIC TESTS OF ENGLISH SKILLS
NAME______________________________________________SCORE__________________
ENGLISH SKILLS TEST A
The following choices apply to items 1–10. Write in each blank the letter of the choice that best describes the
problem with each sentence.
A. sentence incomplete
B. too many phrases/clauses strung together
C. modifying elements misplaced (dangling)
D. structure not parallel
E. nothing wrong
____
1. Stop here.
____
2. Your duties are interviewing, hiring, and also to fire employees.
____
3. After their presentation, I was still undecided.
____
4. Speaking freely, the stock was considered a bargain.
____
5. Margaret, pressed for time, turned in unusually sloppy work.
____
6. Typing and filing, routine office chores.
____
7. With care, edit the report.
____
8. When Paul came to work here, he brought some outmoded ideas, now he has accepted our modern
methods.
____
9. To plan is better than improvising.
____
10. Hoping to improve performance, practice is advisable.
The following choices apply to items 11–20. Write in each blank the letter of the choice that identifies the
underlined word(s) in each sentence.
A. subject
B. predicate (verb)
C. object
D. modifier
E. conjunction/preposition
____
11. Take his memo upstairs.
____
12. Before leaving, he repaired the photocopier.
____
13. Velnor, Inc. will soon introduce a new product line.
____
14. We must hire only qualified, ambitious graduates.
____
15. They are having trouble with their quality control systems.
____
16. After she wrote the report, Jill waited eagerly for a response.
____
17. The route to the plant isn’t paved yet.
Diagnostic Tests of English Skills
____
18. See me after the meeting.
____
19. Your new home is ready and waiting.
____
20. BFL is large but caring.
2
The following choices apply to items 21–30. Write in each blank the letter of the choice that best describes each
sentence.
A. all punctuation used correctly
B. some punctuation used incorrectly or incorrectly omitted
____
21. The president who rarely gave interviews, agreed to write an article for the company newsletter.
____
22. Give the assignment to Karen Schiff, the new technical writer.
____
23. Could you please send a replacement for Item No. 2-302.
____
24. Debbie said that, “technicians must have technical degrees.”
____
25. We’ll have branches in Bakersfield, California, Reno, Nevada, and Medford, Oregon.
____
26. Before leaving her secretary finished typing the memo.
____
27. How many of you consider yourselves “computer literate?”
____
28. This, then, is our goal: to increase market share by 50 percent.
____
29. They plan to move soon, however, they still should be invited.
____
30. Health, wealth, and happiness—those are my personal goals.
The following choices apply to items 31–40. Write in each blank the letter of the choice that best describes the
problem with each sentence.
A. error in punctuation
B. error in use of abbreviations or symbols
C. error in use of numbers
D. error in capitalization
E. no errors
____
31. Most of last year’s sales came from the midwest.
____
32. We can provide the items you are looking for @ $2 each.
____
33. Alex noted: “few of our competitors have tried this approach.”
____
34. Address the letter to professor Elliott Barker, Psychology Department, North Dakota State University.
____
35. They’ve recorded 22 complaints since yesterday, all of them from long-time employees.
____
36. Leslie’s presentation—“New Markets for the Nineties”—was well organized.
____
37. We’re having a sale in the childrens’ department, beginning Wednesday, August 15.
____
38. About 50 of the newly inducted members will be present.
____
39. Mister Spencer has asked me to find ten volunteers.
____
40. Let’s meet in Beth and Larry’s office at one o’clock.
Diagnostic Tests of English Skills
In items 41–50, write in each blank the letter of the word that best completes each sentence.
____
41. Will having a degree (A. affect, B. effect) my chances for promotion?
____
42. Place the latest drawings (A. beside, B. besides) the others.
____
43. Try not to (A. loose, B. lose) this key; we will charge you a fee to replace it.
____
44. Let us help you choose the right tie to (A. complement, B. compliment) your look.
____
45. The five interviewers should discuss the candidates’ qualifications (A. among,
B. between) themselves.
____
46. New employees spend their time looking for (A. perspective, B. prospective) clients.
____
47. Are the goods you received different (A. from, B. than) the goods you ordered?
____
48. He took those courses to (A. farther, B. further) his career.
____
49. We are (A. anxious, B. eager) to see you next Thursday.
____ 50. All commissions will be (A. disbursed, B. dispensed, C. dispersed) on the second Friday of every
month.
3
Diagnostic Tests of English Skills
4
NAME______________________________________________SCORE__________________
ENGLISH SKILLS TEST B
The following choices apply to items 1–10. Write in each blank the letter of the choice that best describes the
problem with each sentence.
A. sentence incomplete
B. too many phrases/clauses strung together
C. modifying elements misplaced (dangling)
D. structure not parallel
E. nothing wrong
____
1. Act first, and ask questions later.
____
2. Before introducing a new product, research must be done.
____
3. She completed her master’s degree to make herself eligible for promotion, and she made sure her boss
knew she was qualified.
____
4. Knowing and doing are two different things.
____
5. The school is responsible for children’s safety in the classroom and playground.
____
6. To be sure.
____
7. Presented one at a time, those points made an impact, and the audience should be able to remember
them the next time they face a problem like the one discussed.
____
8. Helen’s proposal is for not only the present but also for the future.
____
9. In one ear, out the other.
____
10. Knowing Jim, he would rather interview the applicants.
The following choices apply to items 11–20. Write in each blank the letter of the choice that identifies the
underlined word(s) in each sentence.
A. subject
B. predicate (verb)
C. object
D. modifier
E. conjunction/preposition
____
11. Please wait for my analysis.
____
12. A woman with all your experience should be a real asset.
____
13. Because they were late, they missed the most important part.
____
14. Was it you, or was it Robert?
____
15. Marketing is a broad and important function.
____
16. Asking Gretchen for advice is a good way to impress her.
____
17. Once it thaws, frozen fish quickly deteriorates.
____
18. The purpose of the survey is to determine consumer needs.
____
19. To learn more about federal requirements, consult the appendix.
Diagnostic Tests of English Skills
____
5
20. Didn’t we just order a new set of templates?
The following choices apply to items 21–30. Write in each blank the letter of the choice that best describes each
sentence.
A. all punctuation used correctly
B. some punctuation used incorrectly or incorrectly omitted
____
21. The office, with the most windows, is reserved for the highest-level executive.
____
22. Could you please reply by May 1.
____ 23. Send copies to Jackie Cross, Uniline, Brad Nardi, Peale & Associates, and Tom Griesbaum,
MatchMakers.
____
24. “How many new chairs should we order,” Steve asked.
____
25. AgAmer, Inc., is moving to Ames, Iowa, because of the motivated labor force there.
____
26. Bring three items, paper, pencil, and eraser, with you Tuesday.
____
27. How would you like to drive away in this shiny brand-new car?
____
28. Do you remember who said that “the show must go on”?
____
29. The manual, which weighs 5 pounds, documents every policy decision made in the past ten years.
____ 30. Please send us a complete set of Office Mates, including: pen and pencil, desk pad/calendar, and
calculator.
The following choices apply to items 31–40. Write in each blank the letter of the choice that best describes the
problem with each sentence.
A. error in punctuation
B. error in use of abbreviations or symbols
C. error in use of numbers
D. error in capitalization
E. no errors
____
31. Have you found “The Coming Shakeout In Takeout”?
____
32. Only eight banks in this country—maybe nine can handle a transaction of this magnitude.
____
33. We have forwarded your letter to Rep. Glaser in Washington.
____
34. Have you written Pam and Joanne’s bonus checks yet?
____
35. Parsons & Parsons, Inc., is sending a rep to the trade show in Las Vegas, Nevada.
____
36. We need six desks, six desk chairs, and 12 side chairs.
____
37. Fax these figures, which are newly calculated, to the Dallas branch by three p.m.
____ 38. We requested confirmation on May 12, however, you did not actually confirm the arrangements until
May 29.
____
39. As you may know, Mister Evans, we are moving our offices.
____
40. We are looking for two qualities in applicants: Experience with computers and an interest in people.
Diagnostic Tests of English Skills
In items 41–50, write in each blank the letter of the word that best completes each sentence.
____
41. I don’t want to discuss my (A. personal, B. personnel) problems in front of anyone.
____
42. They’ve chosen a (A. coarse, B. course) that will help them achieve their goals.
____
43. Stress always (A. precedes, B. proceeds) my headaches.
____
44. Mayfair Shoppes will (A. adept, B. adopt) a new returns policy next month.
____
45. Turn on the main unit before you turn on (A. its, B. it’s) auxiliary units.
____
46. Can you (A. disapprove, B. disprove) Professor Weinert’s theory?
____
47. Her report is (A. to, B. too, C. two) detailed for the audience.
____
48. Should we wait (A. for, B. on) them to finish before we start our study?
____
49. Those inflated profits are just an (A. allusion, B. illusion).
____
50. My raise was much bigger (A. than, B. then) I expected.
6
