English 2 placement test
Hello and thank you for your interest in English 2 at TPS! This placement test includes two parts. Please do all of your work on this document and send to the instructor with whom you are registered.
Please turn off any grammar or spelling check functions at this time.
Please do not write in this scoring box.
Test component / Points earned / Points possibleGrammar & Punctuation / 30
Composition / 40
Total / 70
Student name:
Date of birth:
Age at start of class:
Part 1: Grammar & Punctuation
Basic Parts of Speech
Identify the underlined word by typing the letter on the line that describes this part of speech. If it is a noun, select the option that also describes the word’s role in the sentence.
A. Noun (Subject)
B. Noun (Direct Object)
C. Noun (Indirect Object)
D. Noun (Object of Preposition)
E. Noun (Predicate Nominative/Noun)
F. Pronoun
G. Verb
H. Adjective
I. Adverb
J. Interjection
K. Conjunction
L. Preposition
Excerpt from Lord of the Rings
_____ 1. When Mr. Bilbo Baggins of Bag End announced that he would shortly be celebrating his eleventy-first birthday with a party of special magnificence, there was much talk and excitement in Hobbiton.
_____ 2. Bilbo was very rich and very peculiar, and had been the wonder of the Shire for sixty years, ever since his remarkable disappearance and unexpected return.
_____ 3. The riches he had brought back from his travels had now become a local legend, and it was popularly believed, whatever the old folk might say, that the Hill at Bag End was full of tunnels stuffed with treasure.
______4. The riches he had brought back from his travels had now become a local legend, and it was popularly believed, whatever the old folk might say, that the Hill at Bag End was full of tunnels stuffed with treasure.
______5. And if that was not enough for fame, there was also his prolonged vigor to marvel at.
______6. Time wore on, but it seemed to have little effect on Mr. Baggins.
Verbals and Conjunctions
Select the correct choice to classify the underlined word/s and type the letter on the line.
_____ 1. Besides reading Tolkien, my older sister enjoys George MacDonald novels.
a. gerund b. participle c. infinitive d. verb
____ 2. When she finishes her homework, I can usually find her curled up with a book.
a. relative pronoun b. subordinating conjunction c. coordinating conjunction d. adverb
_____3. My brother, who rarely picks up a book unless he must, would rather play soccer.
a. subordinating conjunction b. relative pronoun c. appositive d. adverb
_____ 4. To participate on a college team is his ultimate goal.
a. gerund b. participle c. infinitive d. verb
______5. He even competed in a tournament with a broken arm.
a. gerund b. participle c. infinitive d. verb
______6. That’s my brother, the biggest soccer fan in the world!
a. appositive b. dependent clause c. independent clause d. prepositional phrase
Sentence correction
Select the sentence with correct grammar and punctuation and type the letter on the line.
______1.
A. In the evening, as the howling wind increased our family, watched the storm roll in.
B. In the evening as the howling wind increased, our family watched the storm roll in.
C. In the evening, as the howling wind increased our family watched the storm roll in.
____ 2.
A. Watching the clouds billowing in colors of blue and black, reminded us of a powerful freight train and scared my little brother terribly.
B. Watching the clouds billowing in colors of blue and black reminded us of a powerful freight train, and scared my little brother terribly.
C. Watching the clouds billowing in colors of blue and black reminded us of a powerful freight train and scared my little brother terribly.
_____ 3.
A. The trees furiously swayed back and forth, and our neighbors lost their power. Finally we lost our power as well.
B. The trees furiously swayed back and forth and our neighbors lost their power before we did, finally, we lost our power as well.
C. The trees furiously swayed back and forth and our neighbors lost their power before we did. Finally, we lost our power, as well.
____ 4.
A. We sat around in the dark, my father decided to start a fire in the fireplace so at least we would stay warm.
B. We sat around in the dark; my father decided to start a fire in the fireplace so at least, we would stay warm.
C. We sat around in the dark; my father decided to start a fire in the fireplace, so at least we would stay warm.
___ 5.
A. Our neighbors house remained dark, my brother and I put on our raincoat, grabbed a flashlight and ran next door to check on them.
B. Our neighbors’ house remained dark. My brother and I put on our raincoats, grabbed a flashlight, and ran next door to check on them.
C. Our neighbor’s house remained dark. My brother and I put on our raincoats, grabbed a flashlight and ran next door to check on them.
___ 6.
A. “Come on over to our house,” we said. “We have a fireplace to help keep everybody warm.”
B. “Come on over to our house” we said, “we have a fireplace to help keep everybody warm.”
C. “Come on over to our house,” we said, “we have a fireplace to help keep everybody warm.”
Sentence Variety
Identify the sentence types by typing the letter on the line that describes the sentence.
A. Simple B. Compound C. Complex D. Compound-complex
______1. After our neighbors arrived, we gathered in our living room next to the fire with sleeping bags.
______2. Caring for our friends and making sure everybody was safe was our first priority.
______3. The wind continued; its howling made sleeping difficult.
______4. In the morning, we awoke to the smells of my mother’s famous pancakes and joined her in the kitchen for a hearty breakfast.
______5. My brother, who awoke early, had been helping mother with the cooking.
______6. After the dishes were washed, we ventured outside to see the damage from the storm, and we were surprised to find only fallen branches in the driveway.
Clauses
Identify the underlined by typing the letter on the line that describes the clause.
A. Independent clause B. Dependent adjective clause
C. Dependent adverb clause D. Dependent noun clause
______1. Many eyes in the world focused on the last solar eclipse of the twentieth century,
which occurred on August 11, 1999.
______2. Although it was primarily visible in Europe, the 1999 event was one of the most widely seen eclipses in history, thanks to television’s coverage.
______3. We looked only indirectly at the eclipse, although we were wearing sunglasses.
______4. A solar eclipse occurs when the moon passes between the sun and the earth, casting a shadow.
______5. Scientists have studied what happens during a solar eclipse.
______6. My son who loves to study the galaxy wants to watch the next eclipse.
Part 2 Essay: Where in the world would you like to live?
If money were no barrier, where would you like to live? Think about some concrete reasons for your choice and craft a five-paragraph essay explaining your ideas and why. You will include your draft and the final copy on this document below. Instructors will not score the draft essay, but we do want to see how well you can revise and follow directions. Be creative! Find someplace really fantastic to live!
Follow directions carefully!
§ Double space both the draft and the revised essays
§ Revise carefully for grammar and punctuation
§ Revise for word choices, especially verbs
§ Check that you have all the necessary parts to each paragraph
Introductory paragraph
§ Include a catchy lead and transition to the thesis
§ Underline the thesis statement (it can be 3-point or a general thesis)
§ Use at least one complex sentence and highlight blue (this paragraph only)
§ Use at least one compound sentence and highlight yellow (this paragraph only)
Body paragraphs
§ Write three body paragraphs each with a strong topic sentence to anchor your paragraph.
§ Highlight your topic sentences in blue and your supporting points in green in all three body paragraphs
§ Include specific examples to elaborate on your supporting points
§ End with a concluding sentence
Concluding paragraph
§ Transition smoothly to the concluding paragraph
§ Summarize your points and restate the thesis
§ Underline the thesis restatement.
§ End with a zinger last line!
Draft essay:
Final Copy:
Do not write in this scoring box.
Criteria
/Points Earned
/Possible
Information/Elaboration / 5Organization / 5
Word Choices/Descript / 5
Sentence Varieties / 5
Voice & Flow / 5
Grammar / 5
Punctuation/Spelling / 5
Following Directions / 5
Total points / 40