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Quizzes > Quizzes for Business > Education

Basic English Language Proficiency Quiz: Test Your Skills

Improve Grammar and Vocabulary Through a Quiz

Difficulty: Moderate
Questions: 20
Learning OutcomesStudy Material
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Welcome to this engaging English Language Proficiency Quiz, designed for learners aiming to master essential grammar and vocabulary. This Basic English Quiz features clear questions on verb tenses, punctuation, and reading comprehension for practical skill-building. Ready to challenge yourself? Try the English Proficiency Practice Quiz to track your improvement over time. Perfect for students, teachers, and self-learners, each question can be freely modified in the built-in editor for custom practice. Discover more quizzes to continue enhancing your language confidence.

Every morning, he ____ breakfast at 7 am.
eat
eats
eating
eated
The subject "he" needs the third-person singular form "eats" in the simple present tense. The forms "eat" and "eating" are incorrect for this context, and "eated" is not a valid English word.
Which sentence is correctly capitalized?
my friend lives in new York city.
My friend lives in New York City.
My friend lives in new york city.
my friend lives in New york City.
Sentences must start with a capital letter, and proper nouns like "New York City" require capitalization of each word. Option B follows these rules correctly.
Choose the sentence with correct punctuation:
I went to the store and bought milk eggs and bread.
I went to the store, and bought milk, eggs, and bread.
I went to the store and, bought milk eggs and bread.
I went, to the store and bought milk eggs and bread.
In lists, commas separate items and the Oxford comma before "and" improves clarity. Option B correctly places commas around "milk, eggs, and bread."
Which word is the noun in the following sentence: 'The cat slept on the mat.'
cat
slept
on
the
The noun names the subject or object, and here "cat" is the person/thing performing the action. The other words are a verb (slept), a preposition (on), and an article (the).
Yesterday, she ____ to the store.
goes
will go
went
going
The time marker "Yesterday" requires a past-tense verb form. Therefore, "went" is used instead of present or future forms.
In the sentence 'I will call you when I arrive,' which part is the subordinate clause?
I will call you
when I arrive
I call you
I arrive
When I arrive starts with a subordinating conjunction and depends on the main clause for meaning. Main clauses can stand alone, so the other options are incorrect.
Which sentence correctly uses a semicolon?
I have a big test tomorrow; I can't go out tonight.
I have a big test tomorrow, I can't go out tonight.
I have a big test tomorrow; and I can't go out tonight.
I have a big test tomorrow: I can't go out tonight.
A semicolon links two related independent clauses without a conjunction. Option A correctly joins two related complete sentences.
Which sentence uses 'affect' correctly?
The loud noise did not affect her concentration.
The new law will have a positive effect on the community.
He was not effected by the criticism.
The decoration of the room had no affect.
Affect is a verb meaning to influence something, as seen in option A. Option B uses "effect," which is a noun; options C and D misuse both words.
Sam was nervous before the exam; he studied all night. What can you infer from this sentence?
He was confident about the exam.
He was anxious about the exam.
He failed the exam.
He didn't prepare for the exam.
Studying throughout the night implies concern or nervousness about the exam. This inference matches option B, while the others are not supported.
Which sentence is clearer and more concise?
Due to the fact that he was tired, he decided to rest.
Because he was tired, he decided to rest.
He was tired, so because he decided to rest.
He decided to rest due to the fact of tiredness.
Option B conveys the same information with fewer words, improving clarity and conciseness. The other options are wordy or awkward and do not present the contrast as directly.
She ___ already seen that movie twice.
has
had
have
having
Option A correctly pairs "has" with the past participle "seen" for a third-person subject. Other auxiliaries do not form the necessary tense.
She is interested ___ learning languages.
on
at
in
to
Standard collocation is "interested in" when talking about activities or topics. Other prepositions are incorrect in this context.
Which is the correct way to write the book title?
harry potter and the Philosopher's Stone
Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone
Harry potter and the philosopher's stone
harry Potter and the philosopher's Stone
Proper nouns and principal words in titles each begin with a capital letter. Option B follows these capitalization rules correctly.
Which sentence correctly combines the following sentences? 'I like tea. I don't like coffee.'
I like tea and I don't like coffee.
Because I like tea, I don't like coffee.
I like tea, but I don't like coffee.
I like tea; and I don't like coffee.
Option C properly uses "but" to contrast two independent clauses with a comma. The other answers either lack the correct conjunction or misuse punctuation.
The restaurant was deserted at noon. Only a few customers ate lunch there. What does this suggest?
The restaurant is very popular at lunchtime.
The restaurant has prices that are too low.
The restaurant is not popular during lunch hours.
The restaurant opens in the evening.
A nearly empty restaurant at noon implies it is not popular during lunch time. The text does not support any other interpretations about pricing or evening hours.
Running quickly, the finish line was crossed by the athlete. Which revision corrects the misplaced modifier?
Running quickly, the finish line was crossed by the athlete.
The athlete crossed the finish line, running quickly.
Running quickly, the athlete crossed the finish line.
The finish line was crossed running quickly by the athlete.
Option C properly attaches the participial phrase to the correct subject, the athlete. The other options either leave the modifier dangling or awkwardly placed.
Which sentence correctly uses a colon?
She needs to buy: apples, bananas, and cherries.
She needs to buy apples: bananas, and cherries.
She needs to buy the following items: apples, bananas, and cherries.
She needs: to buy apples, bananas, and cherries.
Option C presents a complete sentence before the colon and then lists items. The other options misuse colons by placing them after verbs or incomplete clauses.
Which revision makes the sentence more concise? 'In spite of the fact that he was tired, he continued working.'
Though he was tired, he continued working.
Although he was tired, he continued working.
He was tired, nonetheless he continued working.
Because he was tired, he continued working.
Option B conveys the contrast without unnecessary words. Option A is close but less formal, and C and D change or awkwardly maintain the structure.
If he ___ harder, he would have passed the exam.
studied
had studied
studies
would have studied
Option B correctly forms the past perfect in the if-clause to pair with the result clause "would have passed." Other choices do not match the third conditional form.
Maria glanced at the sky and hurried home as dark clouds gathered. Rain was imminent. What is the tone of this passage?
calm
urgent
cheerful
indifferent
Words like "hurried" and "imminent" convey haste and impending change, indicating an urgent tone. The other options do not fit the mood.
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Learning Outcomes

  1. Analyze sentence structures and grammar usage.
  2. Identify correct vocabulary in everyday contexts.
  3. Master basic punctuation and capitalization rules.
  4. Apply reading comprehension strategies to texts.
  5. Evaluate language choices for clarity and accuracy.
  6. Demonstrate understanding of verb tenses in sentences.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Master Sentence Structures - Think of sentences as LEGO creations! A simple sentence stands firm on its own, a compound sentence buddies up two independent ideas with a "and" or "but," and a complex sentence weaves in extra details. Play with these structures to make your writing both clear and captivating. ccaps.umn.edu ESL Grammar Resources
  2. Expand Your Vocabulary - Words are your secret superpowers - collect them like trading cards and practice using them in real sentences. Try flashcards, word games, or vocab apps to keep your brain buzzing with fresh terms. The stronger your word bank, the more colorful and precise your writing and speech will become! Orton Gillingham Vocabulary Tips
  3. Apply Punctuation Correctly - Punctuation marks are like traffic signals: commas pause the flow, semicolons link related ideas, and periods bring everything to a cheerful stop. For example, "I bought apples, oranges, and bananas," or "I was tired; however, I finished my homework." Mastering these rules will keep readers cruising smoothly through your text. Grammar Punctuation & Mechanics
  4. Capitalize Properly - Capital letters are VIPs - they always get the spotlight at the start of a sentence, on names like New York City, and in titles. Forgetting them is like leaving your best outfit at home! Nail this rule to give your writing that polished, professional edge. UWF Writing Lab Resources
  5. Enhance Reading Comprehension - Summarizing paragraphs is like creating a mini-movie trailer: you capture the main action and key details in a few sentences. This exercise helps you remember what you read and unlocks the author's hidden messages. Practice daily to sharpen your attention span and critical thinking! Orton Gillingham Reading Comprehension
  6. Choose Words for Clarity - Imagine your words as arrows - every one should hit the bull's-eye of meaning. Opt for precise, concise terms and skip the jargon jungle that can confuse readers. Clear language makes your ideas shine like a spotlight on stage! VU Grammar EOS Book
  7. Understand Verb Tenses - Verb tenses are time machines: past, present, or future. Keep them consistent so your reader doesn't feel like they're hopping between eras. For example, "She was walking to the store when she realized she forgot her wallet" stays smooth and easy to follow. CCAPS Grammar Resources
  8. Recognize Parts of Speech - Think of nouns as people, verbs as actions, adjectives as paint brushes, and adverbs as glitter - each plays a distinct role in the sentence party. Spotting them helps you assemble grammatically solid and stylish sentences. It's like learning the secret recipe of language! Orton Gillingham Parts of Speech Guide
  9. Practice Subject-Verb Agreement - Subjects and verbs must agree like dance partners: singular with singular, plural with plural. "The dog barks" versus "The dogs bark" shows how a tiny "s" can change the entire groove. Keep them in sync and your sentences will waltz along smoothly! CCAPS Grammar Resources
  10. Utilize Active Voice - Active voice is the turbo boost of writing: "The student completed the assignment" beats "The assignment was completed by the student" every time. It's direct, energetic, and grabs attention. Flip passive constructions on their head to make your prose pop! Fiveable Grammar Rules
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