______________________________________________________________________________

English Proficiency Exam

Part I. GRAMMAR - Multiple Choice (35 points)

Choose the letter or word of the best answer that completes the sentence by highlighting it in yellow.

1. He’s been living in San Francisco _______ ten years.

a. since
b. for
c. already
d. in

2. The apartment will _______ at an auction in Florida.

a. be sold
b. be sell
c. sold
d. selling

3. I need to get _______ before we go on a road trip.

a. fixed my car
b. my car fixed
c. my car fix
d. fix my car

4. _______ carefully, a hamster can be a good pet.

a. Handling
b. Handled
c. Handle
d. To handle

5. Not much happened yesterday, _______ it?

a. does
b. didn’t
c. did
d. was

6. The girls hurt _______ playing Frisbee in the park.

a. themselves
b. themself
c. theirselves
d. himself

7. You won’t forget to buy the guidebook _______?

a. won't you
b. can you
c. will you
d. did you

8. Did you remember _______ to the grocery for me?

a. go
b. to go
c. going
d. to have gone

1
______________________________________________________________________________

9. She managed to finish the race in spite of _______ the blisters on her feet.
a. having
b. have
c. had
d. to have

10. Having _______ about your proposal for a long time, we’ve decided to reject it.
a. thought
b. thinking
c. think
d. have thought

11. I was angry when you saw me because I _____________ with my brother.
a. have been arguing
b. would argue
c. had been arguing
d. argued

12. Can you tell me what time _______ leaving?

a. the bus is
b. does the bus
c. the bus
d. is bus

13. The cook waited ___ the customers because the server left early.
a. for
b. on
c. within
d. despite

14. He looked ___ his friends for advice.

a. to
b. on
c. in
d. about

15. He came ___ the decision that he should study harder.

a. with
b. to
c. upon
d. at

16. Italy, _______ is well-known for its architectural sites, is a popular tourist destination.
a. that
b. which
c. who
d. where

17. Please be aware that there was a misprint in an advertisement for our store in this week’s
local free press. The ad states that on Saturday all men’s formal footwear is on for 55% off
rather _______ 15% off.
a. that
b. than
c. then
d. they’re

2
______________________________________________________________________________

18. We didn’t _______ to wait long for the bus, only a few minutes.
a. ought
b. got
c. have
d. must

19. I think organizing a conference _______ be an excellent idea.

a. would
b. is bound to
c. mustn’t
d. could have

20. Despite having four years of experience in software programming, Mr. Jones hadn’t used a
word processing program _______ .
a. prior
b. advanced
c. previous
d. before

21. _______ , to get online, I am just posting the results of the weekend races.
a. Slow as I am
b. By which point
c. Much as I’m slow
d. As much as possible

22. Apple computer has unveiled its new desktop computer design, _______ all disk drives and
processors into a flat display less than two inches thick.
a. which includes
b. which integrates
c. enclosing
d. which contains

23. The judge _______ him to ten years in prison.

a. sent
b. ordered
c. sentenced
d. put

24. I _______ some of my old photos when I was clearing out the shed.
a. turned on
b. came across
c. caught up
d. put off

25. By the time we _______ at the party, the band had stopped playing.
a. turned up
b. got through
c. filled in
d. showed off

26. As a housekeeper, I _______ , though I’d like a better salary.

a. move on
b. get by
c. take on
d. pass by

3
______________________________________________________________________________

27. _______ longer do we expect politicians to tell us the truth.

a. Any
b. The
c. No
d. Not

28. Although well off the _______ track, the Hotel is nevertheless very easy to get to.
a. far
b. back
c. beating
d. beaten

29. I don’t know if I can do I but I’ll _______ a go.

a. have
b. make
c. give
d. take

30. Most observers predict the manuscript won’t see _______ light of day until at least January.
a. the
b. a
c. another
d. (No article)

31. As per tradition at Sid’s Stationary, we will be having a Christmas raffle. This year the grand
prize is a 2-night stay for two at the Meridian Inn _______ Toronto Island. The winner will
receive a free double occupancy stay in the penthouse suite as well as a free dinner on the
moonlit patio.
a. through
b. on
c. over
d. at

32. Money from ticket sales will be _______ to The Family Foundation, a local organization that
provides food and clothing to those who need it most this Christmas.
a. purchased
b. donated
c. funded
d. collected

33. They were reassured ___ the outcome ___ the elections.
a. about, in
b. by, of
c. of, on
d. from, with regard to
34. While ___ holiday, they vacationed ___ Australia.
(1) A. in B. on C. at D. during
(2) A. in B. on C. at D. to

35. The Prime Minister’s comments yesterday on education spending miss the point, as the
education system needs a major overhaul. Firstly, the system only views the weakest learners
as having special (1_______ . The brightest and most (2) _______ students are not
encouraged to develop their full potential.

(1) A. requests B. desires C. needs D. wants

(2) A. inattentive B. unreliable C. intensive D. conscientious

4
______________________________________________________________________________

Part II. ENGLISH VOCABULARY (35 points)

Please select one option that best defines the given word for each item by highlighting in yellow.

1. Fluid (adjective)
a. Lesser, less important
b. Favorable
c. Capable of flowing, a smooth style, liquid
d. Complete, unrestricted, perfect

2. Interrupt (verb)
a. To kill off, to get rid of
b. To stop, to break in (usually with questions)
c. Praise
d. To put off to a later time

3. Deceive (verb)
a. To hold back a decision, to waver
b. To remember an important event through ceremony or observation
c. To subtract
d. To cause or allow someone to believe something is true when it is actually false; to
mislead

4. Medieval (adjective)
a. Relating to the Middle Ages (500 – 1500 AD)
b. Aware, having knowledge of oneself
c. Written, drawn, vividly shown
d. Not effected by time, without beginning or end, ceaseless

5. Implicate (verb)
a. To involve, to incriminate
b. To come to a conclusion from facts or ideas, to guess
c. To act ahead of, to keep from happening
d. To act in response to something

6. Podium (noun)
a. A platform, an area raised above the surrounding ground, a place at which to speak
in front of an audience
b. Readable, clear enough to read
c. Ability to feel due to stimulation
d. Area of land

7. Graffiti (noun)
a. Drawings or writing on a wall
b. An indentation, a temporary break
c. Something that is taught, dogma
d. One that originates or creates, a writer

8. Terrain (noun)
a. To hang from, to interrupt, to stop
b. The physical features of an area
c. An unplanned event
d. A way of standing, a position, an attitude

5
______________________________________________________________________________

9. Reject (verb)
a. To speak loudly, to cry out in surprise
b. To throw out, unwilling to accept
c. To give spirit or support, to supply movement
d. To draw toward, to arouse interest

10. Credible (adjective)

a. Native, having been born in a specific area or environment
b. Easily broken, not strong
c. Can be believed, reasonable
d. Too ready to believe

11. Audible (adjective)

a. Uttered by the voice , producing sound
b. Friendly
c. Something fit to be eaten, food
d. Can be heard

12. Phonetic (adjective)

a. Relating to speech sounds
b. Allowing some light to shine through
c. Marked by goodwill
d. Dead

13. Vital (adjective)

a. Holding conventional beliefs
b. Necessary for life
c. Lack of experience, not knowledgeable of the world
d. Conforming to standards, good, kind

14. Active (adjective)

a. Able to disperse in liquid
b. Following in an unbroken order
c. Touching, next in a sequence
d. Involving movement, moving about

15. Incorporate (verb)

a. To unite into being
b. To know, to identify
c. To hold back, to prevent from doing
d. To ruin, to pull down

16. Mobile (adjective)

a. Able to be seen
b. Able to move
c. Of marriage, marital relationship
d. Capable of being done

17. Solve (verb)

a. To break or burst
b. To find an answer
c. To throw away, to cast off
d. To be devoted to something in an obsessive manner

6
______________________________________________________________________________

18. Contend (verb)

a. To drive away or push back
b. To strive or reach for, to argue
c. To ask about
d. To go back, to return (to an original state)

19. Superfluous (adjective)

a. Having the ability to do something; having the traits necessary to perform some
action
b. Extra, more than is needed
c. Obedient, easily taught
d. Harmless, mild, gentle

20. Revoke (verb)

a. To make one, to join together
b. To declare loudly
c. To confirm that something is true
d. To call back, to withdraw

21. Chronological (adjective)

a. Having a large body
b. Aware
c. Arranged on order of time
d. Qualified, worthy to be chosen

22. Miniscule (adjective)

a. To lie next to
b. Very small
c. Just born
d. Favorable

23. Confide (verb)

a. To show, to point out
b. To bring in from a foreign country
c. To express in words, to put into words
d. To trust, to trust another person with a secret

24. Induce (verb)

a. To make something look attractive or suitable
b. To persuade, cause, or bring about by artificial means
c. To go beyond a limit, to be greater than
d. To return to life

25. Society (noun)

a. Community, the relationship among individuals living or working in a common area,
companionship
b. The study of humans, especially of their origin, their behavior, and their physical,
social, and cultural development
c. A stage in a process, a mark indicating quality
d. A group of people, an association

26. Pedestal (noun)

a. A support for a column or other structure, a base for something
b. Quality of being worthy, noble, honored
c. Something new
d. Hostility, ill will

7
______________________________________________________________________________

27. Obstruct (verb)

a. To recognize (diseases) by symptoms
b. To think about, to weigh in one’s mind
c. To block, prevent, hinder
d. To move back, to withdraw

28. Novice (noun)

a. Record of events, historical records
b. A newcomer, a beginner, someone new to something
c. A place where one goes to hear something
d. Respect for a person or a thing

29. Adhere (verb)

a. To stick
b. To turn around
c. To excite, to disturb, to stir up
d. To persuade (especially into doing something wrong), to tempt

30. Script (noun)

a. Twisting of a body or an organ by an external force along an axis
b. A trip
c. Handwriting, something written
d. An idea

31. Quest (noun)

a. A statement that seems to contradict itself but contains some truth
b. The labor of carrying boats across land
c. Money payable yearly
d. A search, the act of seeking

32. Espionage (noun)

a. Act of moving, action
b. The ability to recall past events
c. The process by which something develops
d. Using spies or observers

33. Effect (noun)

a. A person who seeks (loves) wisdom
b. Study of how the mind works
c. A strong feeling or emotion
d. A change caused by something, a result, influence
34. Import (verb)
a. To cause or allow someone to believe something is true when it is actually false; to
mislead
b. To know, to identify
c. To bring in from a foreign country
d. To be devoted to something in an obsessive manner

35. Impede (verb)

a. To hinder, to slow down
b. To provide with light, to make lighter, to make clear
c. To take in, to acquire
d. To keep going, to remain

8
______________________________________________________________________________

Part III. ERROR RECOGNITION (15 points)

There are four (4) underlined sections in each text below. Select the one that is incorrect by
highlighting in yellow.

1. Public opinion polls have consistently demonstrated the public’s willingness for ‘tradeoff’
economic growth for environmental protection.
a. opinion polls
b. consistently
c. for
d. environmental

2. Advocacy for child war victims, children in hazardous work, abused children and those
variously exploited or handicapped has attracted the attention and commitment of legislators
and policymakers through the world.
a. in
b. those
c. has attracted
d. through

3. The technology, developed in coal-rich Germany in the 1920’s, involves partly burning coal to
turn it into a gas, then using a catalyst, usually a metal, make it a liquid.
a. coal-rich
b. involves partly
c. turn it into
d. make it

4. In 2004, a team led by the government environment ministry say that chemicals from the
factory had contaminated sediment in the bay and entered the food chain.
a. led by
b. say that chemicals
c. contaminated sediment
d. entered

5. The increase population, and rapid economic growth in recent years have put a large and
increasing stress on the water resources and environment in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.
a. increase
b. in recent years
c. on the water resources
d. in

6. Most of the large industries in the country are well-organized and structured and are
sometimes backed up internationally reputable mother companies.
a. Most of
b. in the
c. are
d. backed up

9
______________________________________________________________________________

7. The economy is heavy dependent on industry, and economic growth has always been of
greater concern than environmental preservation.
a. heavy
b. on industry
c. has always been
d. than

8. The Minimum Wage Bill provides for a gradual reduction of the minimum wage from $15.15
an hour to $7.25 an hour over two years.
a. Bill
b. reduction
c. minimum
d. over two years ago

9. Greece’s achievement in the 2004 Olympics raise anew the question of whether Athens
should be the permanent home of the Games.
a. achievement in the
b. raise anew
c. whether
d. should be

10. Crushed ice is use to cool drinks, and is often applied to injuries where there is swelling, to
remove excess heat generated in the tissues.
a. use
b. is often
c. where there is
d. generated

11. Japan’s latitudinal spread, ranging from subtropical in the south to sub-arctic in the north,
makes that a wide diversity of flora and fauna.
a. latitudinal spread
b. subtropical
c. makes that
d. wide diversity

12. A no-smoking program has help overweight people reduce their risk of heart attacks or their
need for surgery by 63%.
a. A
b. help
c. reduce
d. need

13. After a muscle fiber has worked intensely for while, it begins to lose potassium, and that
dampens the fiber’s ability to contract.
a. After a
b. while
c. and that
d. ability to

10
______________________________________________________________________________

14. The Eiffel Tower was built the International Exhibition of Paris of 1889 commemorating the
centenary of the French Revolution.
a. was built
b. of
c. commemorating
d. the

15. For decades the food industry has been known serving up sugary or fat-laden products,
promoted with ceaseless advertising.
a. For decades
b. has been known
c. promoted with
d. ceaseless

11