TCAR Montana HiSET Language Arts Writing Paper
Based Test Exam
Question 1. Which of the following sentences is punctuated correctly?
A) The storm, lasted all night, and caused flooding.
B) The storm lasted all night and caused flooding.
C) The storm, lasted all night and, caused flooding.
D) The storm lasted, all night, and caused flooding.
Answer: B
Explanation: Option B avoids unnecessary commas and correctly presents the compound predicate.
Question 2. Choose the sentence that uses the correct form of the verb:
A) She walk to school every day.
B) She walks to school every day.
C) She walking to school every day.
D) She walked to school every day.
Answer: B
Explanation: "Walks" agrees with the singular subject "she" in present tense.
Question 3. Which sentence uses the correct pronoun?
A) Me went to the store after school.
B) Him and I went to the store after school.
C) He and I went to the store after school.
D) He and me went to the store after school.
Answer: C
Explanation: "He and I" are both in the correct subjective case.
Question 4. Select the sentence that avoids redundancy:
A) The reason is because the weather was cold.
B) The reason is that the weather was cold.
C) The reason why is because the weather was cold.
D) The reason is due to the fact that the weather was cold.
Answer: B
Explanation: "The reason is that" is clear and concise, avoiding repetitive phrasing.
Question 5. Which of the following sentences has correct subject-verb agreement?
A) The list of items are on the table.
B) The list of items is on the table.
C) The list of items were on the table.
D) The list of items have on the table.
Answer: B
Explanation: "List" is the subject and is singular, so "is" is correct.
Question 6. Which sentence uses commas correctly?
A) Before the show, the actors, rehearsed their lines.
B) Before the show the actors rehearsed their lines.
C) Before the show, the actors rehearsed their lines.
D) Before the show the actors, rehearsed their lines.
Answer: C
Explanation: A comma is correctly placed after the introductory phrase.
Question 7. Identify the correctly spelled word:
A) Definately
, TCAR Montana HiSET Language Arts Writing Paper
Based Test Exam
B) Definetly
C) Definitely
D) Definatly
Answer: C
Explanation: "Definitely" is the correct spelling.
Question 8. Which sentence best combines the ideas for clarity and conciseness?
A) The dog barked because it was hungry, and it wanted food.
B) The dog was hungry, the dog barked, and the dog wanted food.
C) The dog barked because it was hungry.
D) Because it was hungry, the dog barked, and the dog wanted food.
Answer: C
Explanation: This version is concise and avoids unnecessary repetition.
Question 9. Which sentence uses an apostrophe correctly?
A) The cats tail was fluffy.
B) The cat's tail was fluffy.
C) The cats' tail was fluffy.
D) The cats tail's was fluffy.
Answer: B
Explanation: "Cat's" shows the singular possessive form.
Question 10. Which transition word best fits the sentence? "He forgot his lunch; _______, he was
hungry during the afternoon."
A) Otherwise
B) Furthermore
C) Consequently
D) Nevertheless
Answer: C
Explanation: "Consequently" shows a cause and effect relationship.
Question 11. Select the sentence that avoids a run-on:
A) She finished her homework she went outside to play.
B) She finished her homework, she went outside to play.
C) She finished her homework and went outside to play.
D) She finished her homework; she went outside to play.
Answer: D
Explanation: The semicolon correctly separates two independent clauses.
Question 12. Which sentence uses capitalization correctly?
A) We visited yellowstone national park last summer.
B) We visited Yellowstone National Park last summer.
C) We visited Yellowstone national park last summer.
D) We visited yellowstone National park last summer.
Answer: B
Explanation: Proper nouns are capitalized.
Question 13. Choose the best topic sentence for a paragraph about recycling:
A) Recycling is important for protecting the environment.
B) Many people recycle.
, TCAR Montana HiSET Language Arts Writing Paper
Based Test Exam
C) Recycling bins are blue.
D) Some trash cannot be recycled.
Answer: A
Explanation: Option A clearly introduces the main idea.
Question 14. Which sentence correctly uses a semicolon?
A) I have a big test tomorrow; so, I can't go out tonight.
B) I have a big test tomorrow; I can't go out tonight.
C) I have; a big test tomorrow I can't go out tonight.
D) I have a big test tomorrow, I can't go out tonight.
Answer: B
Explanation: A semicolon can connect two related independent clauses.
Question 15. Identify the sentence fragment:
A) After she arrived at the party.
B) She arrived at the party.
C) She arrived at the party and greeted everyone.
D) After she arrived, she greeted everyone.
Answer: A
Explanation: A dependent clause without an independent clause is a fragment.
Question 16. Which word is spelled incorrectly?
A) Separate
B) Occurred
C) Accomodate
D) Necessary
Answer: C
Explanation: "Accommodate" is the correct spelling.
Question 17. Choose the sentence with the correct pronoun-antecedent agreement:
A) Every student must bring their pencil.
B) Every student must bring his or her pencil.
C) Every student must bring their pencils.
D) Every students must bring their pencil.
Answer: B
Explanation: "Every student" is singular, so "his or her" is correct.
Question 18. Which sentence uses parallel structure?
A) She likes to swim, biking, and to run.
B) She likes swimming, biking, and running.
C) She likes to swim, biking, and running.
D) She likes swimming, to bike, and to run.
Answer: B
Explanation: All items in the list use the same "-ing" form.
Question 19. In which sentence is the comma used incorrectly?
A) After dinner, we walked to the park.
B) She bought apples, oranges, and bananas.
C) The movie, was very exciting.
D) Although it was late, she continued studying.
, TCAR Montana HiSET Language Arts Writing Paper
Based Test Exam
Answer: C
Explanation: There should not be a comma between "movie" and "was."
Question 20. Which word completes the sentence correctly? "Neither the students nor the teacher
______ present."
A) are
B) is
C) were
D) be
Answer: B
Explanation: The verb agrees with the subject closest to it ("teacher"), which is singular.
Question 21. Choose the best concluding sentence for a paragraph about study habits:
A) These are some bad ways to study.
B) Therefore, developing good study habits is essential for academic success.
C) Students should not watch TV.
D) There are many students.
Answer: B
Explanation: Option B summarizes the paragraph and relates to the main idea.
Question 22. Which sentence contains a misplaced modifier?
A) Covered in syrup, the boy enjoyed his pancakes.
B) The boy enjoyed his pancakes covered in syrup.
C) The boy, covered in syrup, enjoyed his pancakes.
D) Enjoying his pancakes, the boy was covered in syrup.
Answer: A
Explanation: The modifier "covered in syrup" seems to describe the boy rather than the pancakes.
Question 23. Which sentence is written in passive voice?
A) The chef cooked the meal.
B) The meal was cooked by the chef.
C) The chef is cooking the meal.
D) The chef will cook the meal.
Answer: B
Explanation: The subject ("meal") receives the action.
Question 24. Choose the correct usage of "there," "their," or "they're":
A) Their going to the park after school.
B) They're going to the park after school.
C) There going to the park after school.
D) Their is going to the park after school.
Answer: B
Explanation: "They're" is a contraction for "they are."
Question 25. Which sentence has correct verb tense consistency?
A) She finished her homework and goes to bed.
B) She finishes her homework and went to bed.
C) She finished her homework and went to bed.
D) She finish her homework and went to bed.
Based Test Exam
Question 1. Which of the following sentences is punctuated correctly?
A) The storm, lasted all night, and caused flooding.
B) The storm lasted all night and caused flooding.
C) The storm, lasted all night and, caused flooding.
D) The storm lasted, all night, and caused flooding.
Answer: B
Explanation: Option B avoids unnecessary commas and correctly presents the compound predicate.
Question 2. Choose the sentence that uses the correct form of the verb:
A) She walk to school every day.
B) She walks to school every day.
C) She walking to school every day.
D) She walked to school every day.
Answer: B
Explanation: "Walks" agrees with the singular subject "she" in present tense.
Question 3. Which sentence uses the correct pronoun?
A) Me went to the store after school.
B) Him and I went to the store after school.
C) He and I went to the store after school.
D) He and me went to the store after school.
Answer: C
Explanation: "He and I" are both in the correct subjective case.
Question 4. Select the sentence that avoids redundancy:
A) The reason is because the weather was cold.
B) The reason is that the weather was cold.
C) The reason why is because the weather was cold.
D) The reason is due to the fact that the weather was cold.
Answer: B
Explanation: "The reason is that" is clear and concise, avoiding repetitive phrasing.
Question 5. Which of the following sentences has correct subject-verb agreement?
A) The list of items are on the table.
B) The list of items is on the table.
C) The list of items were on the table.
D) The list of items have on the table.
Answer: B
Explanation: "List" is the subject and is singular, so "is" is correct.
Question 6. Which sentence uses commas correctly?
A) Before the show, the actors, rehearsed their lines.
B) Before the show the actors rehearsed their lines.
C) Before the show, the actors rehearsed their lines.
D) Before the show the actors, rehearsed their lines.
Answer: C
Explanation: A comma is correctly placed after the introductory phrase.
Question 7. Identify the correctly spelled word:
A) Definately
, TCAR Montana HiSET Language Arts Writing Paper
Based Test Exam
B) Definetly
C) Definitely
D) Definatly
Answer: C
Explanation: "Definitely" is the correct spelling.
Question 8. Which sentence best combines the ideas for clarity and conciseness?
A) The dog barked because it was hungry, and it wanted food.
B) The dog was hungry, the dog barked, and the dog wanted food.
C) The dog barked because it was hungry.
D) Because it was hungry, the dog barked, and the dog wanted food.
Answer: C
Explanation: This version is concise and avoids unnecessary repetition.
Question 9. Which sentence uses an apostrophe correctly?
A) The cats tail was fluffy.
B) The cat's tail was fluffy.
C) The cats' tail was fluffy.
D) The cats tail's was fluffy.
Answer: B
Explanation: "Cat's" shows the singular possessive form.
Question 10. Which transition word best fits the sentence? "He forgot his lunch; _______, he was
hungry during the afternoon."
A) Otherwise
B) Furthermore
C) Consequently
D) Nevertheless
Answer: C
Explanation: "Consequently" shows a cause and effect relationship.
Question 11. Select the sentence that avoids a run-on:
A) She finished her homework she went outside to play.
B) She finished her homework, she went outside to play.
C) She finished her homework and went outside to play.
D) She finished her homework; she went outside to play.
Answer: D
Explanation: The semicolon correctly separates two independent clauses.
Question 12. Which sentence uses capitalization correctly?
A) We visited yellowstone national park last summer.
B) We visited Yellowstone National Park last summer.
C) We visited Yellowstone national park last summer.
D) We visited yellowstone National park last summer.
Answer: B
Explanation: Proper nouns are capitalized.
Question 13. Choose the best topic sentence for a paragraph about recycling:
A) Recycling is important for protecting the environment.
B) Many people recycle.
, TCAR Montana HiSET Language Arts Writing Paper
Based Test Exam
C) Recycling bins are blue.
D) Some trash cannot be recycled.
Answer: A
Explanation: Option A clearly introduces the main idea.
Question 14. Which sentence correctly uses a semicolon?
A) I have a big test tomorrow; so, I can't go out tonight.
B) I have a big test tomorrow; I can't go out tonight.
C) I have; a big test tomorrow I can't go out tonight.
D) I have a big test tomorrow, I can't go out tonight.
Answer: B
Explanation: A semicolon can connect two related independent clauses.
Question 15. Identify the sentence fragment:
A) After she arrived at the party.
B) She arrived at the party.
C) She arrived at the party and greeted everyone.
D) After she arrived, she greeted everyone.
Answer: A
Explanation: A dependent clause without an independent clause is a fragment.
Question 16. Which word is spelled incorrectly?
A) Separate
B) Occurred
C) Accomodate
D) Necessary
Answer: C
Explanation: "Accommodate" is the correct spelling.
Question 17. Choose the sentence with the correct pronoun-antecedent agreement:
A) Every student must bring their pencil.
B) Every student must bring his or her pencil.
C) Every student must bring their pencils.
D) Every students must bring their pencil.
Answer: B
Explanation: "Every student" is singular, so "his or her" is correct.
Question 18. Which sentence uses parallel structure?
A) She likes to swim, biking, and to run.
B) She likes swimming, biking, and running.
C) She likes to swim, biking, and running.
D) She likes swimming, to bike, and to run.
Answer: B
Explanation: All items in the list use the same "-ing" form.
Question 19. In which sentence is the comma used incorrectly?
A) After dinner, we walked to the park.
B) She bought apples, oranges, and bananas.
C) The movie, was very exciting.
D) Although it was late, she continued studying.
, TCAR Montana HiSET Language Arts Writing Paper
Based Test Exam
Answer: C
Explanation: There should not be a comma between "movie" and "was."
Question 20. Which word completes the sentence correctly? "Neither the students nor the teacher
______ present."
A) are
B) is
C) were
D) be
Answer: B
Explanation: The verb agrees with the subject closest to it ("teacher"), which is singular.
Question 21. Choose the best concluding sentence for a paragraph about study habits:
A) These are some bad ways to study.
B) Therefore, developing good study habits is essential for academic success.
C) Students should not watch TV.
D) There are many students.
Answer: B
Explanation: Option B summarizes the paragraph and relates to the main idea.
Question 22. Which sentence contains a misplaced modifier?
A) Covered in syrup, the boy enjoyed his pancakes.
B) The boy enjoyed his pancakes covered in syrup.
C) The boy, covered in syrup, enjoyed his pancakes.
D) Enjoying his pancakes, the boy was covered in syrup.
Answer: A
Explanation: The modifier "covered in syrup" seems to describe the boy rather than the pancakes.
Question 23. Which sentence is written in passive voice?
A) The chef cooked the meal.
B) The meal was cooked by the chef.
C) The chef is cooking the meal.
D) The chef will cook the meal.
Answer: B
Explanation: The subject ("meal") receives the action.
Question 24. Choose the correct usage of "there," "their," or "they're":
A) Their going to the park after school.
B) They're going to the park after school.
C) There going to the park after school.
D) Their is going to the park after school.
Answer: B
Explanation: "They're" is a contraction for "they are."
Question 25. Which sentence has correct verb tense consistency?
A) She finished her homework and goes to bed.
B) She finishes her homework and went to bed.
C) She finished her homework and went to bed.
D) She finish her homework and went to bed.
