AMERICAN LANGUAGE COURSE PLACEMENT TEST

FORM 83
PART I – LISTENING
Directions for items 1 – 56. You will hear statements or
questions on the tape. Select the best answer and mark your
answer sheet, a , b , c, or d. DO NOT WRITE ON THE TEST BOOKLET.

1. a) He has a lot of money 7. He had trouble__________

b) He is poor.
c) He has a good a) talking
reputation. b) seeing
d) He is healthy. c) thinking
d) hearing

2. a) He will listen to a 8. She wants __________

speech.
b) He will give a speech. a) food
c) He´ll watch the speaker b) rest
d) He´ll record a speech. c) water
d) help
3. a) He drives poorly.
b) He never drives 9. Just __________ it
c) He drives very well a) push
d) He is learning to drive b) write
c) call
d) show

4. a) He didn´t make friends 10. She didn´t like the ______

b) He didn´t follow rules. a) size
c) He didn´t advance to the b) color
next grade. c) style
d) He didn´t make noise in school. d) price

5. a) Anyone can go home. 11. We can go to the ________

b) A game is held every a) river
afternoon. b) movies
c) Everybody plays. c) airport
d) Anybody can watch the game d) bank

6. a) She wanted to know the 12. a) a hat on her head

time. b) a ribbon in her hair
b) She wanted to know the c) a pain in her head
date. d) a mark on her head
c) She wanted to know the
weather. 13. a) a razor
d) She wanted to know the b) a knife
place. c) a sandwich
d) a bomb

 14. a) kerosene 22. a) I´ll do it without charge.

b) Mary b) I´ll do it when I´m not busy.
c) a store c) I´ll do it at work.
d) ashes d) I´ll do it in my garage.

15. a) the charge 23. a) They ate the food at home.

b) bills b) They ate too much food.
c) the cost c) They ate at a restaurant
d) change d) They ate the wrong food.

16. a) Jane met the bus. 24. a) They are his family.
b) Jane made the bus. b) They are his relatives.
c) Jane will miss the bus. c) They are his students.
d) Jane missed the bus. d) They are his employees.

17. a) It has no corners. 25. a) She must talk very fast.

b) It is square. b) She´ll talk very fast.
c) It cannot be moved. c) She should talk very fast.
d) It will last a long time. d) She can talk very fast.

18. a) She looks after her father. 26. a) He´d rather fly than
b) She is looking for her sail.
father. b) He likes sailing better.
c) She resembles her father. c) He can´t make up his mind.
d) She is fond of her father. d) He doesn´t like either one.

19. a) It is easy to carry. 27. a) He repeated it.

b) It is easy to fill. b) He completed it.
c) It is easy to fasten. c) He started it.
d) It is easy to open. d) He reported it.

20. a) He made it.

b) He discovered it.
c) He operated it.
d) He repaired it.

21. a) She considered buying a new car.

b) She had money to buy a new car.
c) She was advised to buy a new car.
d) She made up her mind to buy a new car.

 28. a) He arrived as the game was starting 35. a) Helen was running from Leonard.
b) He arrived long before the game started b) Helen was looking at Leonard.
c) He arrived after the game started. c) Helen was following Leonard.
d) He was just too late for the ball game. d) Helen was expecting Leonard

29. a) I´m late 36. a) It was out of order.

b) I got lost. b) It was being used.
c) I´m here now. c) It was on schedule.
d) I never do. d) It was being elevated.

30. a) rubber taken from trees. 37. a) His tooth hurt.

b) rubber bought overseas. b) His tongue was cut.
c) rubber used over again. c) It hurt to speak.
d) rubber made from chemicals. d) He couldn´t dress.

31. a) She began the conversation. 38. a) He began to run although

b) She continued the conversation. he didn´t hear the siren.
c) She interrupted the conversation. b) He began to run before he
d) She finished her conversation. heard the siren.
c) He began to run a minute after
he heard the siren.
32. a) He was a sick man. d) He began to run as soon as he
b) He was a doctor. heard the siren.
c) He was impatient.
d) He was patient.
39. a) That is the kind of cave a bear likes best.
33. a) They got to the top. b) The bear is caught and cannot get away.
b) They learned the truth. c) The bear is performing as part of a circus act
c) They made a decision. d) There is probably no other bear like that one.
d) They finally gave up.
40. a) It really happened.
34. a) Tom rode with Mr. Jones. b) It could have happened.
b) Tom bought his car at a high price. c) It might possibly happen.
c) Tom fought with Mr. Jones. d) It probably happened.
d) Tom asked for a lower price.

 41. a) I bought a pair of pants. 48. a) I can find my friend.

b) I made a pair of pants. b) I´ve found my friend.
c) I fixed a pair of pants. c) I must find my friend.
d) I sent a pair of pants. d) I will find my friend.

42. a) It deflects the water. 49. a) He quit his job.

b) It lets the water go through. b) He took a vacation.
c) It changes the density of the water. c) He was hospitalized.
d) It soaks up the water. d) He joined the union.

43. a) They´re admired. 50. a) He isn´t rigid.

b) They´re controlled. b) He isn´t friendly.
c) They´re authorized. c) He isn´t efficient.
d) They´re associated. d) He isn´t healthy.

44. a) He put it together. 51. a) He will use a paper bag.

b) He cleaned it. b) He will steal the groceries.
c) He took it apart. c) He will use the cash register.
d) He inspected it. d) He will remove the groceries.

45. a) We have a lot of questions. 52. The car ____________.

b) We have a lot of dates. a) rolled over.
c) We have a lot of information. b) stalled.
d) We have a lot of decisions. c) overheated.
d) ran out of gas.

46. a) We are required to drive. 53. We ____________.

b) We are advised to drive. a) stayed home.
c) We are asked to drive. b) went by plane.
d) We are allowed to drive. c) had a good time.
d) took our friends.

47. a) They punish him. 54. It´s caused by a difference in ____

b) They have a high opinion of him. a) age.
c) They give him additional things to do. b) gender.
d) They agree with him. c) location.
d) education.

55. He likes to _____________

a) be noticed.
b) be by himself.
c) hunt wild animals.
d) save money.

 56. Yes, that’s why she needs a _______________.

a) substitute.
b) raise.
c) pin.
d) reply.

Directions for items 57 – 66. You will hear conversations or persons giving information. Select
the best answer and mark your answer sheet, a, b, c, or d.

57. Alice _______________. 62. The man _____________.

a) is a good gardener. a) did her a favor.
b) is a bad gardener. b) tricked her.
c) doesn´t like to garden. c) gave her a bargain.
d) doesn´t have a garden. d) bothered her.

58. The woman wants the man to _____. 63. The _________ became violent.
a) wait a) performers
b) go on b) audience
c) help c) stage hands
d) get in d) producers

59. a) He is getting out of the hospital. 64. The man will __________
b) He is very emotional. a) locate the winner
c) His condition is satisfactory. b) pay the winner
d) His condition is serious. c) tell who won
d) challenge the winner

60. a) move faster 65. The material will ___________

b) straighten up a) freeze
c) relax b) melt
d) come upstairs c) break
d) bend

61. a) Her friend bought one 66. The monkeys were _________
b) Her friend doesn´t want one a) climbing the fence
c) She may buy one b) swinging from ropes
d) Her friend may buy one c) eating together
d) making sounds

THIS IS THE END OF THE LISTENING PART OF THE TEST.

 PART II – READING

Directions for items 67 – 100. Select the best answer and mark your answer sheet , a , b , c , or
d. DO NOT WRITE ON THE TEST BOOKLET.

67. Prices are the ___________ I´ve ever seen.

a) high
b) higher
c) highest
d) as high

68. The students ___________ breakfast in the mess hall now.

a) had
b) were having
c) are having
d) did have

69. We were very happy ___________ you at the flight line.

a) see
b) to see
c) was seeing
d) sees

70. Brian: Do you ever go to the movies?

Cheryl: No, I ______ go there.

a) often
b) never
c) usually
d) always

71. What is the name of the path in which the earth travels around the sun?

a) road
b) square
c) orbit
d) rectangle

 72. They took the readings in centigrade. What are they measuring?

a) distance
b) volume
c) temperature
d) weight

73. The captain said. “ I believe so”.

a) I think so
b) I tell you so
c) I´d like to
d) He will, also.

74. ____________ is no room at that hotel.

a) there
b) it
c) what
d) this

75. we _____________ to eat dinner now.

a) shall
b) can
c) must
d) have

76. Marjorie, the new employee, argues __________ everyone in the office about who is to
make coffee.

a) over
b) about
c) with
d) from

77. My friend is neither at home ____________ in the library.

a) nor
b) yet
c) for
d) and

 78. The bus was crowded; there weren´t any ____________

a) people standing
b) empty seats
c) passangers
d) occupied seats

79. We made good time travelling because the ____________ on the highway was light.

a) congestion
b) control
c) direction
d) traffic

80. The change has been gradual.

a) important
b) little by little
c) necessary
d) secret

81. When did you arrive ?

a) start
b) stay here
c) leave
d) get here

82. When the snake is coiled, it is ready to strike.

a) flee
b) hide
c) sleep
d) attack

83. The tunnel runs underneath the riverbed.

a) over
b) below
c) beside
d) parallel to

 84. If I ____________ you, I would have charged more.

a) have been
b) am being
c) am
d) had been

85. You should not spend your money _____________ such frivolous items.

a) on
b) with
c) except
d) near

86. Bill liked __________ better than playing the piano.

a) singing
b) sing
c) sung
d) sang

87. Select the correct sentence.

a) Conserve fuel are bicycles and fun to ride.

b) Fun to ride are bicycles and conserve fuel.
c) Ride bicycles and to conserve fuel are fun.
d) Bicycles conserve fuel and are fun to ride.

88. Lt. Jones: Do you have any used tires for sale?
Salesman: I´m sorry, we just sold our last one.

a) The store doesn´t handle used tires.

b) The salesman is selling the last one.
c) The store has a lot of them for sale.
d) The store is out of them now.

89. Those games, as a rule of thumb, last an hour.

a) occasionally
b) seldom
c) generally
d) scarcely

 90. Jess got a pony for his birthday.

a) large dog
b) big bull
c) small horse
d) little cat

91. When a person goes to sleep, the brain´s functions become disorganized. This creates
a unique situation which we call dreams. Dreams are similar to a movie which has
disorganized or misplaced scenes. People often remember what they dream, but seldom
can they draw conclusions or learn from dreams.

According to the paragraph. When a person dreams, he is _____________.

a) able to maintain control of his thoughts

b) going to a special movie
c) in an altered state of consciousness
d) always able to draw conclusions

92. One natural phenomenon is lightning - - a form of static electricity. Often, while watching
a storm, you may see lightning jump from one cloud to another. This sudden expansion
of the air creates a sound known as thunder.

According to the paragraph, lightning may be described as ______________.

a) overheated air
b) static electricity
c) thunder
d) cloud build-up

93. We must protect our environment.

a) children
b) belongings
c) heritage
d) surroundings

94. These two buildings are _______________.

a) similar to
b) same
c) like
d) alike

 95. Mr. Walters wishes he ____________ finish his thesis by next December.

a) should
b) may
c) could
d) can

96. When a person is setting the table, the fork ______________ on the left side of the plate.

a) places
b) is placing
c) is placed
d) should place

97. The mountain climber died of ___________ the elements.

a) evaluation of
b) subsistence to
c) fascination with
d) exposure to

98. Sam retired after working for the U.S. Government for 10 years. He, along with his
partner Kevin, was assigned to Logan Airport in Boston, Massachusetts. Sam´s primary
responsibility was to “sniff out” smugglers trying to bring in illegal plant and meat
products that might be carrying pests and diseases. You see, Sam is a dog and a
member of the USDA´s Beagle Brigade. Sam was one of the earliest members of this
group, which now has more than 30 dog and handler teams at 19 international airports.
He will spend his retirement years as a pet in the home of his former handler and partner,
Kevin.

According to the paragraph, ________________.

a) Sam spent 10 years helping the USDA prevent the spread of disease.
b) Kevin and Sam are dogs who helped the government.
c) Kevin and Sam are partners who are retiring from government work after 30 years.
d) Sam was a smuggler who got caught at Logan Airport.

99. After working in the sun for three hours, Patsy felt dizzy.

a) tired
b) sorrowful
c) lightheaded
d) irritable

 100. The student was expelled from class.

a) going to
b) enrolling in
c) called out of
d) kicked out of

THIS IS THE END OF THE TEST.