Diagnostic Test
Junior High Language Arts
Directions: In each sentence below, a word is underlined. Choose the correct classification/definition for each word.
1. We were given free pencils at the game.
A. Direct ObjectC. Predicate Noun
B. Indirect ObjectD. Predicate Adjective
2. Green apples are too sour for me.
A. Direct ObjectC. Predicate Noun
B. Indirect ObjectD. Predicate Adjective
3. I bought this watch for Jenny.
A. Direct ObjectC. Predicate Noun
B. Indirect ObjectD. Predicate Adjective
4. The teachers read us the rules for the test.
A. Direct ObjectC. Predicate Noun
B. Indirect ObjectD. Predicate Adjective
5. Mr. Pytlik is a carpenter.
A. Direct ObjectC. Predicate Noun
B. Indirect ObjectD. Predicate Adjective
Directions: Choose the answer that correctly identifies the kind of noun boldfaced and underlined in each sentence.
6. A highway runs through the desert to the pueblo.
A. common
B. abstract
C. concrete
7. We saw dolphins at the Shedd Aquarium today.
A. proper
B. abstract
C. collective
8. The search team fanned out across the field
A. proper
B. abstract
C. collective
9. For the costume party, Christy dressed up like an Egyptian queen.
A. common
B. proper
C. collective
10. Some people enjoy the challenge of climbing high mountains.
A. common
B. abstract
C. concrete
Directions: Choose the personal pronoun in each sentence.
11. The excited fans could not believe that they were seeing the team finally win.
A. thatB. they
12. Brian’s dog ran out the door the minute it opened.
A. itB. outs
Directions: Identify the antecedent of the boldfaced pronoun in each sentence.
13. The neighbors take good care of their pets.
A. neighbors
B. care
C. pets
14. The patient waiting anxiously for the doctor to give her diagnosis.
A. patient
B. doctor
C. diagnosis
15. The zoo is proud of its mother elephant and her baby.
A. elephant
B. zoo
C. baby
Directions: Choose the answer that correctly identifies the kind of verb boldfaced in each sentence.
16. Rick searched for the lost hamster.
A. action
B. linking
C. helping
17. Sherlock Holmes is a detective with uncanny abilities.
A. action
B. linking
C. helping
18. I would like another piece of pie.
A. action
B. linking
C. helping
19. People boarded up the windows of their homes and stores before the hurricane hit.
A. action
B. linking
C. helping
Directions: Choose the answer that identifies the adjectives in each sentence.
20. Two blue telephones sat on the old desk
A. Two, blue
B. Two, blue, old
C. blue, old, desk
21. Unkind words often hurt people.
A. Unkind
B. Unkind, often
C. Unkind, words
22. A few minutes later, we heard a loud boom.
A. later, loud
B. loud
C. few, loud
Directions: Choose the answer that identifies the adverbs in each sentence.
23. Strange legends surround the extremely old castle.
A. old
B. Strange
C. extremely
24. Upstairs in the attic, we found a box of old clothes.
A. Upstairs
B. old
C. attic
25. Slowly, the light outside faded.
A. faded
B. Slowly
C. Slowly, outside
Directions: Identify the prepositional phrase in each sentence.
26. The cup with the tiny crack is mine.
A. cup with
B. with the tiny crack
C. is mine
27. Let’s take a walk around the block.
A. the block
B. take a walk
C. around the block
Directions: Mark the letter of the line containing the error. If there is no error, fill in the last answer space.
28. A. I would like
B. either mushrooms and onions
C. on my pizza.
D. (No error)
29. A. Neither rain or snow
B. with stop
C. the U.S. mail.
D. (No error)
30. A. Not only paintings but also sculptures
B. are featured
C. in the museum display.
D. (No error)
Directions: Choose the answer that identifies the interjection in each sentence.
31. Amazing! We actually reached the top!
A. Amazing
B. actually
C. top
32. Hey, watch where you’re walking!
A. walking
B. watch
C. Hey
Directions: Choose the answer that identifies the gerund in each sentence.
33. Competitive wrestling is a difficult sport to learn.
A. wrestling
B. sport
C. Competitive
34. Painting your face like a clown can be fun.
A. face
B. clown
C. Painting
Directions: Choose the answer that identifies the participle in each sentence.
35. Finding my key quickly, I escaped from the pouring rain.
A. quickly
B. escaped
C. pouring
36. The singing birds woke me up this morning.
A. singing
B. me
C. morning
Directions: Choose the answer that correctly identifies the structure of each sentence.
37. We realized that the wind had suddenly shifted.
A. compound sentence
B. complex sentence
C. compound-complex sentence
38. Crystal managed to get the drummer’s signature before the band left.
A. compound sentence
B. complex sentence
C. compound-complex sentence
39. They arrived at the airport on time, but it was shut down because fog had rolled in.
A. compound sentence
B. complex sentence
C. compound-complex sentence
40. The stream contains gold, but it is not easy to find.
A. compound sentence
B. complex sentence
C. compound-complex sentence
Directions: Choose the verb that agrees with the subject in each sentence.
41. You ______turned the volume too high!
A. has
B. have
42. Almost every month, the office clerks or their supervisor ______pizza for an office party.
A. orders
B. order
43. My shoes and socks ______been soaked in this sudden downpour.
A. has
G. have
44. There ______no end to his complaints!
A. is
B. are
45. Over the snow ______the toboggans.
A. skims
B. skim
Directions: Match each term with its correct definition.
A. charactersB. settingC. themeD. plotE. personification
F. genreG. idiomH. propaganda
46. the main idea or insight into life
47. the place and time of the action
48. people or animals who take part in the action
49. a form of literature
50. giving human characteristics to non-humans
51. the deliberate spreading of such information, rumors, etc.
52. an expression that has meaning particular to a language or region
53. sequence of events in a story
Directions: Match each term with its correct definition.
I. simileJ. metaphorK. point of viewL. proseM. poetry N. informational text O. expository
54. writing that is organized in sentences and paragraphs
55. describes one thing as if it were another, apparently unlike thing
56. writing that uses rhythms and is organized in lines and groups of lines
57. comparison of two unlike items using like or as
58. instructional manuals, signs, textbooks, newspapers
59. the vantage point from which a story is told
60. presents and explains information