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Quizzes > Literature & Language > Foreign Languages

Ready to Ace the American Sign Language Test?

Think you can ace our American Sign Language questions? Take the test now!

Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
Paper art illustration of hands signing ASL, quiz cards, text elements on teal background.

Hello, sign language aficionados! Ready to elevate your skills with our free american sign language test? This interactive challenge comes with instant feedback and is designed to push you from mastering basic handshapes and fingerspelling to decoding non-manual signals, classifiers, and facial expressions. Whether you're gearing up for the asl 1 final exam or curious about regional variants in our countries asl quiz, you'll tackle american sign language questions that sharpen your comprehension, speed, and fluency. Dive into our engaging asl test and then go deeper with a fun asl sign quiz . Ready to sign with confidence? Get started today and track your growth every step of the way!

Which handshape represents the letter 'A' in ASL fingerspelling?
A fist with the thumb resting beside the curled fingers
Flat hand with all fingers extended
Curved C-shape hand
Index and middle fingers extended
The ASL letter 'A' is formed by making a fist while keeping the thumb alongside the index finger. This distinguishes it from 'S', where the thumb crosses the fingers. Mastery of finger positions is essential for accurate fingerspelling. Source
Which non-manual marker indicates a yes/no question in ASL?
Raised eyebrows
Head shake
Pursed lips
Lowered gaze
Raised eyebrows are the primary non-manual signal for yes/no questions in ASL. They differentiate such questions from wh-questions, which use furrowed brows. Non-manual markers are crucial for sentence types. Source
How do you sign 'THANK YOU' in ASL?
Touch fingertips to chin then move outward
Wave hand in front of mouth
Palm down tapping chest twice
Flat hand moving in circle by shoulder
To sign 'THANK YOU', you place the fingertips of a flat hand at the chin and move the hand forward. This conveys the act of giving thanks. It's one of the first polite signs taught to ASL learners. Source
What is the sign for 'HELLO' in ASL?
Open hand near temple, move outward in salute
Waving both hands at chest level
Thumb and pinky extended, move side to side
Fist tapping chin
The standard sign for 'HELLO' involves an open hand near the temple waving outward like a salute. It’s a common greeting in ASL. Proper orientation and movement make it recognizable. Source
Which of these is one of the five parameters of ASL signs?
Movement
Color
Volume
Texture
Movement is one of the five essential parameters in ASL, along with handshape, location, palm orientation, and non-manual signals. These parameters define the form and meaning of signs. Understanding them is critical for accurate signing. Source
What handshape is used for the number 5 in ASL?
All five fingers extended and spread apart
Fist with thumb extended
Index and middle fingers extended
Palm down with thumb touching fingers
The sign for the number 5 is a flat hand with all fingers extended and spread apart, palm facing outward. This clearly represents the numeral five visually. Numeric handshapes in ASL are standardized for clarity. Source
How do you sign 'SORRY' in ASL?
Make an A-handshape and circle it on the chest
Flat hand moves downward away from chin
Palm faces out tapping shoulder
Index finger draws a circle on lips
To sign 'SORRY', form an 'A' handshape and rub it in a circular motion on the chest. This emphasizes sincerity and remorse. Facial expression also conveys apology. Source
In ASL two-handed symmetrical signs, the non-dominant hand is used to:
Mirror the movements of the dominant hand
Perform a different motion
Stay completely still
Only indicate location
In symmetrical two-handed signs, both hands perform identical movements simultaneously. The non-dominant hand mirrors the dominant hand. This symmetry is a distinct feature of certain ASL signs. Source
The sign for 'I LOVE YOU' combines which handshapes?
I, L, and Y
I, L, and U
L, O, and V
Y, O, U
The 'I LOVE YOU' sign merges the letters I, L, and Y into one handshape by extending the thumb, index finger, and pinky. This combines individual letters into a single, meaningful gesture. It's widely recognized in ASL and deaf culture. Source
Which location is correct for signing 'MOTHER' in ASL?
Chin with a spread B-handshape
Chest with a fist
Forehead with flat hand
Shoulder with open hand
To sign 'MOTHER', place a flat hand shape (spread fingers) on the chin. This location distinguishes it from signs like 'FATHER', which is at the forehead. Location is one of the five sign parameters. Source
How is the sign for 'YES' produced in ASL?
Make a fist and nod it like a head
Flatten palm and shake side to side
Thumb and pinky extended, move up
Tap fingers to chin twice
The sign 'YES' is formed by making a fist and moving it up and down, mimicking a nodding motion. This visually represents agreement. Non-manual cues, like nodding head, often accompany it. Source
Which handshape is used for the letter 'B' in ASL fingerspelling?
Flat hand with fingers together and thumb across palm
Fist with thumb beside fingers
Index finger and middle finger extended
C-shaped hand
The letter 'B' is signed by extending all fingers together with the thumb across the palm, palm facing forward. This distinguishes it from 'A' or 'C'. Handshape clarity is vital for fingerspelling. Source
What does the sign for 'WATER' look like?
W-handshape taps chin once
Index finger draws an 'W' in air
Flat hand waves side to side
Fist taps the chest
To sign 'WATER', form a 'W' handshape with the fingers and tap the index finger to the chin. This handshape and location together form the word. Many ASL signs combine shape, location, and movement. Source
Which of these signs uses a thumb and pinky extended handshape to mean 'CALL'?
Call
Phone
Talk
Listen
The sign 'CALL' is made by extending the thumb and pinky like a phone then moving it away from the ear. It visually represents a phone call. Iconic signs are common in ASL. Source
Which sign uses both hands to indicate 'BOOK' in ASL?
Both hands open, palms facing each other then open like pages
Fist taps together twice
Flat hand crosses over chest
W-handshape taps chin
The sign 'BOOK' uses two flat hands, palms together, then opens them like pages of a book. This movement is iconic and easy to visualize. Location and movement combine for meaning. Source
Which non-manual signal often accompanies the question word 'WHO' in ASL?
Furrowed eyebrows
Raised eyebrows
Pursed lips
Head nod
Wh-questions like 'WHO' use furrowed eyebrows to signal a question. This non-manual marker is essential to differentiate interactive questions. Pairing facial expressions with hand movements creates full sentences. Source
Which classifier would you use to represent a vehicle moving along a path in ASL?
3-handshape
1-handshape
B-handshape
O-handshape
The 3-handshape is the standard classifier for vehicles moving along a path, mimicking the shape of a car. Classifiers allow signers to depict shape, movement, and location in space. They are a key feature of advanced ASL expression. Source
What is the purpose of role shifting in ASL storytelling?
To show different characters' perspectives
To indicate tense change
To mark a question
To list items
Role shifting involves changing body orientation, eye gaze, and facial expression to portray different characters. It helps the audience distinguish who is speaking. This technique enhances narrative clarity. Source
Which movement indicates that a verb in ASL is directional?
The sign moves from subject toward object
The sign is repeated twice
The sign is held stationary
The sign uses a circular motion
Directional verbs move in the signing space to show subject and object relationships visually. For example, GIVE moves from giver toward receiver. This spatial movement carries grammatical meaning. Source
How do you express 'EARLY' in ASL time signs?
Move index finger quickly upward along non-dominant index finger
Fist taps chest repeatedly
Flat hand moves in circular motion
Palm faces down waving
The sign 'EARLY' uses a quick upward movement along the non-dominant index finger to indicate an earlier time. Time signs are often shown on the non-dominant hand. Movement indicates temporal concepts. Source
Which of these is a directional verb in ASL?
ASK
SIT
HAVE
SMALL
The verb ASK can move toward or away from the signer to show who is asking whom. This directional movement adds grammatical subject-object information. Verbs like SIT and HAVE are not directional. Source
What does mouth morpheme 'cha' indicate in ASL?
Big or intense
Small or little
Slowly
Quiet
The mouth morpheme 'cha' accompanies signs to indicate something is big, strong, or intense. These mouth shapes serve as adverbs or adjectives. Non-manual signals extend meaning beyond hand movements. Source
How is negation typically shown in ASL grammar?
Head shake and negative sign
Raised eyebrows
Mouth morpheme 'mm' only
Shoulder shrug
Negation in ASL usually involves shaking the head and signing a negative word like 'NOT'. Non-manual markers like headshake are integral. Pure facial expressions alone do not convey full negation. Source
Which sign is an example of an agreement verb?
GIVE
HAPPY
COLOR
WHO
Agreement verbs like GIVE change movement direction based on subject and object. This spatial agreement shows who gives to whom. Static verbs do not change direction. Source
In ASL, how do you show a series of events occurring regularly?
Use a repeating motion for the verb
Hold the sign longer
Increase sign size
Add 'always' sign after verb
ASL shows habitual actions by repeating the movement of the verb. This repetition indicates regular occurrence. Changing movement frequency alters meaning. Source
What is the spatial relationship used for in ASL sentence structure?
Placement of signs to represent physical locations
Ordering adjectives
Indicating volume
Switching handshapes
Signers assign locations in signing space to represent people or objects. This spatial grammar helps in referring back to those entities. It simplifies storytelling and complex sentences. Source
How do you sign 'YESTERDAY' in ASL?
Index finger hooks backward at chin
Palm faces down moving backward
Fist taps chin twice
Thumb brushes cheek
'YESTERDAY' is signed by hooking the index finger backward at the chin, representing past time. Time signs are often located near the body. The motion indicates backward temporal reference. Source
Which sign uses mouth morpheme 'th' to show something is small?
LITTLE
BIG
FAST
ALMOST
The mouth morpheme 'th' is used in ASL to indicate smallness, as in the sign 'LITTLE'. Mouth morphemes complement hand signs to convey adjectives and adverbs. Non-manual markers are crucial for nuanced meaning. Source
What does the classifier CL:4 typically represent?
Flat surface like a table
Vehicle
Person walking
A small object
The classifier CL:4 uses four fingers extended and spread to represent a flat surface. Classifiers depict shapes and surfaces in ASL. They are essential for visual descriptions. Source
Which facial expression is typical for the sign 'SURPRISE'?
Raised eyebrows and wide eyes
Furrowed eyebrows
Pursed lips
Neutral expression
Surprise is shown with raised eyebrows and wide eyes in ASL, emphasizing the emotion. Facial expressions are integral to conveying adjectives and feelings. Non-manual signals combined with hand signs complete the meaning. Source
What role does eye gaze play in ASL grammar?
Indicating referents and direction
Showing tense only
Adjusting handshape
Changing palm orientation
Eye gaze in ASL directs attention to spatial locations and referents, marking subject or object positions. It also supports role shifting and storytelling. Proper eye contact ensures clarity. Source
What is a minimal pair in ASL phonology?
Two signs differing by only one parameter
A verb and noun from the same root
Signs that use the same classifier
Two signs with identical meaning
A minimal pair in ASL consists of two signs that differ in only one of the five parameters (handshape, location, movement, palm orientation, or non-manual signals). Identifying minimal pairs helps learners recognize subtle contrasts. This concept mirrors phonological minimal pairs in spoken languages. Source
How is the concept of 'role reversal' executed in ASL?
Switching body orientation and eye gaze
Reversing sign order
Replacing sign with fingerspelling
Using a question marker
Role reversal involves physically shifting the body and gaze to take on different characters in dialogue. This change signals to the audience who is speaking. It’s an advanced narrative tool in ASL storytelling. Source
Which classifier depicts the texture of fabric in ASL?
C-handshape waved lightly
B-handshape tapping
3-handshape rolling
1-handshape dragging
The C-handshape is used as a classifier to show texture, such as cloth draping or fabric hanging. Movements depict how the fabric interacts with gravity. Classifier detail enriches description. Source
In ASL, what does the inflection marked by a faster, sharper movement convey?
Sudden or forceful action
Continuous action
Habitual action
Softer emphasis
A faster, sharper movement indicates suddenness or force, similar to adverbial intensifiers in spoken languages. Movement inflections alter verb meaning. This prosody component is critical for nuance. Source
How does ASL indicate rhetorical questions?
Raised eyebrows with a hold at the end
Headshake throughout
Pursed lips and downward gaze
Rapid repetition of a sign
Rhetorical questions in ASL use raised eyebrows and often a slight hold at the end of the sentence. This differentiates them from genuine questions. Non-manual markers are critical. Source
Which phonological constraint prevents certain handshapes from moving into specific locations?
Location compatibility rule
Movement reversal rule
Hand dominance rule
Orientation neutrality rule
The location compatibility rule dictates which handshapes can occupy certain positions on the body or in signing space. This constraint maintains clarity and avoids overlap. Phonological rules guide sign formation. Source
What distinguishes an entity classifier from a descriptive classifier?
Entity shows objects, descriptive shows characteristics
Entity shows emotion, descriptive shows size
Entity uses one hand, descriptive uses two
Entity is fingerspelled
Entity classifiers represent objects or people as whole units moving in space, while descriptive classifiers show characteristics like shape or texture. Distinguishing them is critical for detailed depiction. Classifier type determines depiction style. Source
How are negation and affirmation expressed simultaneously in ASL?
Using contradicting non-manual markers
Signing both NOT and YES rapidly
Holding one sign longer
Switching hands mid-sentence
ASL can layer non-manual signals to show nuanced meanings, such as contradictory feelings. Facial expressions and head movement combine to show complex states. This simultaneous marking is unique to sign languages. Source
What is the effect of sign space expansion in ASL?
Emphasizes importance or exaggeration
Indicates past tense
Marks a rhetorical device
Shows question type
Expanding sign space, or making signs larger, can emphasize or exaggerate meaning. This prosodic device highlights importance. Spatial modification is a key expressive tool. Source
Which sign parameter is altered when you reverse the palm orientation?
Palm orientation
Handshape
Movement
Location
Palm orientation refers to the direction the palm faces. Changing this parameter can change the meaning of a sign entirely. Orientation is one of the five core parameters. Source
Which sign uses a half-circle movement in front of the body to indicate 'AGREE'?
AGREE
DISAGREE
FEEL
KNOW
The sign 'AGREE' is made by touching the forehead with the index finger then moving it downward in a half-circle to the chin, showing alignment. This movement and location convey agreement. Recognizing subtle differences is vital. Source
In ASL phonetics, what term describes the fastest movement variation of a sign?
Stressed
Elaborated
Weak
Abolished
A stressed variation uses faster movement or greater force to emphasize a sign. This phonetic adjustment functions similarly to stress in spoken words. It highlights focus or emotion. Source
How are mouth movements incorporated into complex sentences in ASL?
As morphological markers for adverbs and adjectives
Only for verbs
Only for questions
As palm orientation cues
Mouth movements, or mouthing, serve as morphological markers adding nuance like adverbs or adjectives within ASL grammar. They integrate seamlessly with hand signs to convey complex meaning. Their proper use enriches expression. Source
What indicates the difference between ‘FINISH’ and ‘FINISHED’ in ASL?
Repeated movement vs. single hold
Different handshapes
Different locations
Different palm orientation
In ASL, repeating the sign 'FINISH' marks an ongoing action, while a single hold indicates 'FINISHED' or completed action. Movement repetition is akin to verb tense marking. Understanding movement patterns is essential. Source
How does ASL handle agreement verbs when referent locations change during discourse?
Verb direction is adjusted to new spatial loci
Verb is fingerspelled again
Non-manual signals indicate change
A separate sign indicates new location
Agreement verbs in ASL adapt their directional movement to the spatial locations assigned to referents. When referent locations shift, the movement path of the verb changes accordingly. This spatial grammar maintains coherent references. Source
What phenomenon occurs when two-handed asymmetrical signs involve both hands moving differently?
Dominance condition prioritizes dominant hand movement
Symmetry condition applies
Mirror movement
Classifying condition applies
The dominance condition in ASL stipulates that in two-handed asymmetrical signs, the dominant hand moves while the non-dominant hand remains stationary or acts as a base. This rule maintains phonological consistency. It’s a key principle in hand movement patterns. Source
Which process explains how ASL signers blend handshape and movement to form compound verbs?
Phonological compounding
Morphological fission
Syllable reduction
Classifier assimilation
Phonological compounding in ASL combines two separate signs into a single sign by blending their handshapes and movements. Compound verbs like 'LOOK+FORGET' illustrate this. This process is central to ASL morphology. Source
In ASL, what is 'agreement focus' in discourse structure?
Emphasizing referent relationships through verb direction
Focusing on non-manual markers
Switching hand dominance
Adding redundant signs
Agreement focus refers to spotlighting referent relationships by using directional verbs toward spatially established loci. This discourse strategy clarifies who does what to whom. It’s a sophisticated use of space in ASL grammar. Source
What role do prosodic features play in ASL narrative structure?
Marking transitions, emphasis, and sentence types
Changing handshapes for dialects
Introducing classifier types
Specifying finger counts
Prosodic features in ASL, including non-manual markers, movement size, and pauses, guide the flow of narratives by marking transitions, emphasis, and sentence functions. They parallel intonation and stress in spoken language. Mastery of prosody is critical for fluent storytelling. Source
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Study Outcomes

  1. Identify Key Handshapes -

    Learn to recognize and name the primary handshapes tested in this american sign language test, reinforcing your understanding of fundamental ASL formation.

  2. Analyze Sign Location -

    Determine the correct signing locations on the body and in space by practicing targeted american sign language questions focused on placement accuracy.

  3. Interpret Non-Manual Signals -

    Understand the role of facial expressions and body movements in ASL communication to enhance your responsiveness to non-manual markers.

  4. Compare Regional Variations -

    Explore sign differences through a countries asl quiz, gaining insight into how geography influences dialects and regional signing styles.

  5. Apply Practical Signing -

    Use knowledge from this free ASL quiz to construct and perform simple signs, preparing you for real-world conversations and the asl 1 final exam.

  6. Evaluate Your Fluency -

    Assess your overall performance on the american sign language test to identify strengths and target areas for further improvement.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Handshape Recognition -

    Accurate handshape identification is foundational for any american sign language test, with ASL University highlighting 45 standardized handshapes across five main groups. Use a mnemonic like "ADMFS" (Alphabet, Dynamic, Modifiers, Finger-spelling, Sequencing) to recall each category. Daily drills of the ASL alphabet and common handshapes sharpen your accuracy for american sign language questions.

  2. Non-Manual Signals -

    Gallaudet University research shows that facial expressions and head movements convey grammar in ASL, such as raised eyebrows for yes/no questions or furrowed brows for wh-questions. Practice contrasting "WHO" versus "ARE" by exaggerating eyebrow positions, using the phrase "Brows Up = Yes/No." Mastering these cues ensures you'll ace the non-manual segment of your asl 1 final exam.

  3. Signing Space & Location -

    Understanding where signs occur in relation to the body - neutral space, torso, and head - is crucial, as noted by the National ASL Test Consortium. Sketch an invisible "signing box" in front of you and map common signs (like "HELP" at chest level) to reinforce spatial accuracy. Consistent spatial awareness practice enhances clarity on any american sign language test.

  4. Movement & Palm Orientation -

    Movement types (straight, circular, or repeated) and palm orientation changes can completely alter a sign's meaning, according to peer-reviewed studies in the Journal of Deaf Studies. Drill opposite movements - e.g., "GIVE" (forward push) versus "SEND" (backward pull) - to cement distinctions. Tracking these dynamic features refines your answers on american sign language questions.

  5. Country Name Signs -

    Many country names in ASL use initialized or descriptive signs; for instance, "CANADA" is the "C" handshape tapping the shoulder twice, as featured in the countries asl quiz by Lifeprint. Create flashcards grouping countries by handshape to streamline recall. This targeted practice prepares you for region-specific prompts on the ASL 1 final exam.

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