2026 ATI TEAS English and Language
Usage Practice Examination Questions
with Answers and Detailed Rationales
1. Which sentence demonstrates correct subject-verb
agreement?
A. The collection of rare manuscripts are stored in a climate-
controlled room.
B. The group of researchers have completed their analysis.
C. The series of experiments were conducted over three
years.
D. The collection of rare manuscripts is stored in a climate-
controlled room.
Rationale: The subject is "collection," which is singular, so it
requires the singular verb "is." The prepositional phrase "of
rare manuscripts" does not change the number of the subject.
2. Which sentence uses a semicolon correctly?
A. The laboratory closed early; because the power failed.
B. The laboratory closed early; the technicians secured all
equipment before leaving.
C. The laboratory; closed early, the technicians left
immediately.
D. The laboratory closed; early because the power failed.
,Rationale: A semicolon correctly joins two closely related
independent clauses: "The laboratory closed early" and "the
technicians secured all equipment before leaving."
3. Which sentence contains a misplaced modifier?
A. After reviewing the evidence, the attorney presented her
argument.
B. The physician carefully examined the patient's records.
C. Walking through the hallway, the nurse noticed the alarm.
D. The researcher discovered a microscope in the laboratory
that was broken.
Rationale: The phrase "that was broken" appears to modify
"laboratory" rather than "microscope," creating ambiguity.
The intended meaning is likely that the microscope was
broken.
4. Which sentence is punctuated correctly?
A. The three participants, who arrived early completed the
registration process.
B. The three participants who arrived early, completed the
registration process.
C. The three participants who arrived early completed the
registration process.
D. The three participants, who arrived early, completed the
registration process.
Rationale: If the phrase "who arrived early" identifies which
participants are being discussed, it is restrictive and should
,not be enclosed by commas. Therefore, option C is correct.
5. Choose the sentence with the correct use of "affect" and
"effect."
A. The medication had a significant affect on the patient's
symptoms.
B. The medication effected the patient's symptoms
significantly.
C. The medication had a significant effect on the patient's
symptoms.
D. The medication's effecting of symptoms was immediate.
Rationale: "Effect" is a noun meaning a result or
consequence. "Affect" is usually a verb meaning to influence.
Here, "effect" correctly functions as the noun following "a
significant."
6. Which sentence uses parallel structure correctly?
A. The internship requires students to observe procedures,
recording data, and that they write reports.
B. The internship requires students to observe procedures,
record data, and write reports.
C. The internship requires students observing procedures,
recording data, and to write reports.
D. The internship requires students to observe procedures,
recording data, and writing reports.
, Rationale: The three verbs should have the same grammatical
form: "observe," "record," and "write." This creates clear
parallel structure.
Difficulty: Hard
7. Which sentence correctly uses a colon?
A. The researcher brought: three essential items to the field
site.
B. The researcher brought three essential items: a compass, a
notebook, and a camera.
C. The researcher: brought three essential items, a compass,
a notebook, and a camera.
D. The researcher brought three essential items, a compass: a
notebook, and a camera.
Rationale: A colon can introduce a list that follows a complete
independent clause. "The researcher brought three essential
items" is complete before the colon.
Difficulty: Hard
8. Which sentence is grammatically correct?
A. Neither the instructors nor the student were prepared for
the schedule change.
B. Neither the instructors nor the student was prepared for
the schedule change.
C. Neither the instructors or the student was prepared for the
schedule change.
Usage Practice Examination Questions
with Answers and Detailed Rationales
1. Which sentence demonstrates correct subject-verb
agreement?
A. The collection of rare manuscripts are stored in a climate-
controlled room.
B. The group of researchers have completed their analysis.
C. The series of experiments were conducted over three
years.
D. The collection of rare manuscripts is stored in a climate-
controlled room.
Rationale: The subject is "collection," which is singular, so it
requires the singular verb "is." The prepositional phrase "of
rare manuscripts" does not change the number of the subject.
2. Which sentence uses a semicolon correctly?
A. The laboratory closed early; because the power failed.
B. The laboratory closed early; the technicians secured all
equipment before leaving.
C. The laboratory; closed early, the technicians left
immediately.
D. The laboratory closed; early because the power failed.
,Rationale: A semicolon correctly joins two closely related
independent clauses: "The laboratory closed early" and "the
technicians secured all equipment before leaving."
3. Which sentence contains a misplaced modifier?
A. After reviewing the evidence, the attorney presented her
argument.
B. The physician carefully examined the patient's records.
C. Walking through the hallway, the nurse noticed the alarm.
D. The researcher discovered a microscope in the laboratory
that was broken.
Rationale: The phrase "that was broken" appears to modify
"laboratory" rather than "microscope," creating ambiguity.
The intended meaning is likely that the microscope was
broken.
4. Which sentence is punctuated correctly?
A. The three participants, who arrived early completed the
registration process.
B. The three participants who arrived early, completed the
registration process.
C. The three participants who arrived early completed the
registration process.
D. The three participants, who arrived early, completed the
registration process.
Rationale: If the phrase "who arrived early" identifies which
participants are being discussed, it is restrictive and should
,not be enclosed by commas. Therefore, option C is correct.
5. Choose the sentence with the correct use of "affect" and
"effect."
A. The medication had a significant affect on the patient's
symptoms.
B. The medication effected the patient's symptoms
significantly.
C. The medication had a significant effect on the patient's
symptoms.
D. The medication's effecting of symptoms was immediate.
Rationale: "Effect" is a noun meaning a result or
consequence. "Affect" is usually a verb meaning to influence.
Here, "effect" correctly functions as the noun following "a
significant."
6. Which sentence uses parallel structure correctly?
A. The internship requires students to observe procedures,
recording data, and that they write reports.
B. The internship requires students to observe procedures,
record data, and write reports.
C. The internship requires students observing procedures,
recording data, and to write reports.
D. The internship requires students to observe procedures,
recording data, and writing reports.
, Rationale: The three verbs should have the same grammatical
form: "observe," "record," and "write." This creates clear
parallel structure.
Difficulty: Hard
7. Which sentence correctly uses a colon?
A. The researcher brought: three essential items to the field
site.
B. The researcher brought three essential items: a compass, a
notebook, and a camera.
C. The researcher: brought three essential items, a compass,
a notebook, and a camera.
D. The researcher brought three essential items, a compass: a
notebook, and a camera.
Rationale: A colon can introduce a list that follows a complete
independent clause. "The researcher brought three essential
items" is complete before the colon.
Difficulty: Hard
8. Which sentence is grammatically correct?
A. Neither the instructors nor the student were prepared for
the schedule change.
B. Neither the instructors nor the student was prepared for
the schedule change.
C. Neither the instructors or the student was prepared for the
schedule change.
