ACCUPLACER TEST ACTUAL TEST 2026 | ALL QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
ANSWERS | VERIFIED ANSWERS | UPDATED VERSION
Question 1
Stamp collecting (being a hobby that is) sometimes used in the schools to teach economics and
social studies.
A) being a hobby that is
B) is a hobby because it is
C) which is a hobby
D) is a hobby
E) a hobby being
Correct Answer: D) is a hobby
Rationale: The original sentence lacks a main verb. "Is a hobby" provides the necessary
linking verb to connect the subject "Stamp collecting" to the rest of the predicate.
Question 2
(Knocked sideways, the statue looked) as if it would fall.
A) Knocked sideways, the statue looked
B) The statue was knocked sideways, looked
C) The statue looked knocked sideways
D) The statue, looking knocked sideways,
E) Having been knocked sideways, the statue, looking
Correct Answer: A) Knocked sideways, the statue looked
Rationale: This option correctly uses a participial phrase to modify the subject "the statue"
and maintains a clear, logical structure.
Question 3
(To walk, biking, and driving) are Pat's favorite ways of getting around.
A) To walk, biking, and driving
B) Walking, biking, and driving
C) To walk, biking, and to drive
D) To walk, to bike, and also driving
E) For walking, biking, and driving
Correct Answer: B) Walking, biking, and driving
Rationale: This is an example of parallel structure. Since "biking" and "driving" are
gerunds, the first item must also be a gerund ("Walking") to match.
Question 4
(When you cross the street in the middle of the block, this) is an example of jaywalking.
A) When you cross the street in the middle of the block, this
B) You cross the street in the middle of the block, this
C) Crossing the street in the middle of the block
, 2
D) The fact that you cross the street in the middle of the block
E) To cross the street in the middle of the block, it
Correct Answer: C) Crossing the street in the middle of the block
Rationale: The phrase "Crossing the street in the middle of the block" acts as a gerund
phrase subject, making the sentence concise and grammatically sound.
Question 5
Walking by the corner the other day, (a child, I noticed, was watching) for the light to change.
A) a child, I noticed, was watching
B) I noticed a child watching
C) a child was watching, I noticed,
D) there was, I noticed, a child watching
E) a child was being noticed by me watching
Correct Answer: B) I noticed a child watching
Rationale: The sentence begins with a participial phrase "Walking by the corner." This
phrase must modify the subject that follows. "I" am the one walking, not the "child," so B
is the only logically correct choice.
Question 6
(Going back to his old school,) everything there looked smaller than Don remembered.
A) Going back to his old school,
B) When he went back to his old school,
C) To go back to his old school,
D) As he went back to his old school,
E) Don's old school, going back to it,
Correct Answer: B) When he went back to his old school,
Rationale: The original version (A) creates a dangling modifier; "everything" did not go
back to the school, Don did. Option B fixes this by providing a clear subject ("he").
Question 7
(Painting, drawing and to sculpt) are some of the techniques artists such as Picasso used to
express themselves.
A) Painting, drawing and to sculpt
B) To paint, to draw, and sculpting
C) Painting, drawing, and sculpting
D) To paint, draw, and sculpting
E) Paint, drawing, and to sculpt
Correct Answer: C) Painting, drawing, and sculpting
Rationale: This maintains parallel structure by using three gerunds in a series.
, 3
Question 8
Playing sports in school (which is an activity) meant to teach teamwork and leadership skills
students can use later in life.
A) which is an activity
B) is an activity because it is
C) being an activity which is
D) is an activity
E) an activity that is
Correct Answer: D) is an activity
Rationale: The original sentence is a fragment. Adding "is an activity" provides the main
verb required to complete the independent clause.
Question 9
(Glancing at his watch,) Daniel picked up his speed.
A) Glancing at his watch,
B) He glanced at his watch, and
C) To glance at his watch,
D) He glanced at his watch,
E) Since glancing at his watch,
Correct Answer: A) Glancing at his watch,
Rationale: This is a correctly placed introductory participial phrase that modifies the
subject "Daniel."
Question 10
(For a snake, shedding their skin) up to eight times a year is part of a natural process.
A) For a snake, shedding their skin
B) A snake's shedding its skin
C) When a snake sheds its skin
D) To shed its skin, for snakes
E) As snakes shed their skin,
Correct Answer: B) A snake's shedding its skin
Rationale: The subject "snake" is singular, so the possessive pronoun must be "its" rather
than "their."
Question 11
(I was surprised by the noise peering) through the window to see who was at the door.
A) I was surprised by the noise peering
B) I was surprised by the noise, peered
C) The noise surprised me, peering
D) Surprised by the noise, I peered
E) Peering at the noise, I was surprised
, 4
Correct Answer: D) Surprised by the noise, I peered
Rationale: This rearranges the sentence to ensure the modifier "Surprised by the noise"
correctly describes the subject "I."
Question 12
It is easy to carry solid objects without spilling them, but the same cannot be said of liquids.
Rewrite, beginning with: Unlike liquids,
A) it is easy to
B) we can easily
C) solid objects can easily be
D) solid objects are easy to be
E) carrying solid objects is easy
Correct Answer: C) solid objects can easily be
Rationale: "Unlike liquids" sets up a comparison between types of objects. Option C
correctly provides "solid objects" as the subject to complete the comparison.
Question 13
Although the sandpiper is easily frightened by noise and light, it will bravely resist any force that
threatens its nest. Rewrite, beginning with: The sandpiper is easily frightened by noise and
light,
A) but it will bravely resist
B) nevertheless bravely resisting
C) and it will bravely resist
D) even if bravely resisting
E) despite the fact that it resists
Correct Answer: A) but it will bravely resist
Rationale: The original sentence shows a contrast. "But" is the correct coordinating
conjunction to join the two contrasting ideas into a compound sentence.
Question 14
If he had enough strength, Todd would move the boulder. Rewrite, beginning with: Todd cannot
move the boulder
A) when lacking
B) because he
C) although there
D) without enough
E) so he doesn't
Correct Answer: B) because he
Rationale: "Todd cannot move the boulder because he lacks enough strength" maintains the
logical relationship of cause and effect found in the original.
ANSWERS | VERIFIED ANSWERS | UPDATED VERSION
Question 1
Stamp collecting (being a hobby that is) sometimes used in the schools to teach economics and
social studies.
A) being a hobby that is
B) is a hobby because it is
C) which is a hobby
D) is a hobby
E) a hobby being
Correct Answer: D) is a hobby
Rationale: The original sentence lacks a main verb. "Is a hobby" provides the necessary
linking verb to connect the subject "Stamp collecting" to the rest of the predicate.
Question 2
(Knocked sideways, the statue looked) as if it would fall.
A) Knocked sideways, the statue looked
B) The statue was knocked sideways, looked
C) The statue looked knocked sideways
D) The statue, looking knocked sideways,
E) Having been knocked sideways, the statue, looking
Correct Answer: A) Knocked sideways, the statue looked
Rationale: This option correctly uses a participial phrase to modify the subject "the statue"
and maintains a clear, logical structure.
Question 3
(To walk, biking, and driving) are Pat's favorite ways of getting around.
A) To walk, biking, and driving
B) Walking, biking, and driving
C) To walk, biking, and to drive
D) To walk, to bike, and also driving
E) For walking, biking, and driving
Correct Answer: B) Walking, biking, and driving
Rationale: This is an example of parallel structure. Since "biking" and "driving" are
gerunds, the first item must also be a gerund ("Walking") to match.
Question 4
(When you cross the street in the middle of the block, this) is an example of jaywalking.
A) When you cross the street in the middle of the block, this
B) You cross the street in the middle of the block, this
C) Crossing the street in the middle of the block
, 2
D) The fact that you cross the street in the middle of the block
E) To cross the street in the middle of the block, it
Correct Answer: C) Crossing the street in the middle of the block
Rationale: The phrase "Crossing the street in the middle of the block" acts as a gerund
phrase subject, making the sentence concise and grammatically sound.
Question 5
Walking by the corner the other day, (a child, I noticed, was watching) for the light to change.
A) a child, I noticed, was watching
B) I noticed a child watching
C) a child was watching, I noticed,
D) there was, I noticed, a child watching
E) a child was being noticed by me watching
Correct Answer: B) I noticed a child watching
Rationale: The sentence begins with a participial phrase "Walking by the corner." This
phrase must modify the subject that follows. "I" am the one walking, not the "child," so B
is the only logically correct choice.
Question 6
(Going back to his old school,) everything there looked smaller than Don remembered.
A) Going back to his old school,
B) When he went back to his old school,
C) To go back to his old school,
D) As he went back to his old school,
E) Don's old school, going back to it,
Correct Answer: B) When he went back to his old school,
Rationale: The original version (A) creates a dangling modifier; "everything" did not go
back to the school, Don did. Option B fixes this by providing a clear subject ("he").
Question 7
(Painting, drawing and to sculpt) are some of the techniques artists such as Picasso used to
express themselves.
A) Painting, drawing and to sculpt
B) To paint, to draw, and sculpting
C) Painting, drawing, and sculpting
D) To paint, draw, and sculpting
E) Paint, drawing, and to sculpt
Correct Answer: C) Painting, drawing, and sculpting
Rationale: This maintains parallel structure by using three gerunds in a series.
, 3
Question 8
Playing sports in school (which is an activity) meant to teach teamwork and leadership skills
students can use later in life.
A) which is an activity
B) is an activity because it is
C) being an activity which is
D) is an activity
E) an activity that is
Correct Answer: D) is an activity
Rationale: The original sentence is a fragment. Adding "is an activity" provides the main
verb required to complete the independent clause.
Question 9
(Glancing at his watch,) Daniel picked up his speed.
A) Glancing at his watch,
B) He glanced at his watch, and
C) To glance at his watch,
D) He glanced at his watch,
E) Since glancing at his watch,
Correct Answer: A) Glancing at his watch,
Rationale: This is a correctly placed introductory participial phrase that modifies the
subject "Daniel."
Question 10
(For a snake, shedding their skin) up to eight times a year is part of a natural process.
A) For a snake, shedding their skin
B) A snake's shedding its skin
C) When a snake sheds its skin
D) To shed its skin, for snakes
E) As snakes shed their skin,
Correct Answer: B) A snake's shedding its skin
Rationale: The subject "snake" is singular, so the possessive pronoun must be "its" rather
than "their."
Question 11
(I was surprised by the noise peering) through the window to see who was at the door.
A) I was surprised by the noise peering
B) I was surprised by the noise, peered
C) The noise surprised me, peering
D) Surprised by the noise, I peered
E) Peering at the noise, I was surprised
, 4
Correct Answer: D) Surprised by the noise, I peered
Rationale: This rearranges the sentence to ensure the modifier "Surprised by the noise"
correctly describes the subject "I."
Question 12
It is easy to carry solid objects without spilling them, but the same cannot be said of liquids.
Rewrite, beginning with: Unlike liquids,
A) it is easy to
B) we can easily
C) solid objects can easily be
D) solid objects are easy to be
E) carrying solid objects is easy
Correct Answer: C) solid objects can easily be
Rationale: "Unlike liquids" sets up a comparison between types of objects. Option C
correctly provides "solid objects" as the subject to complete the comparison.
Question 13
Although the sandpiper is easily frightened by noise and light, it will bravely resist any force that
threatens its nest. Rewrite, beginning with: The sandpiper is easily frightened by noise and
light,
A) but it will bravely resist
B) nevertheless bravely resisting
C) and it will bravely resist
D) even if bravely resisting
E) despite the fact that it resists
Correct Answer: A) but it will bravely resist
Rationale: The original sentence shows a contrast. "But" is the correct coordinating
conjunction to join the two contrasting ideas into a compound sentence.
Question 14
If he had enough strength, Todd would move the boulder. Rewrite, beginning with: Todd cannot
move the boulder
A) when lacking
B) because he
C) although there
D) without enough
E) so he doesn't
Correct Answer: B) because he
Rationale: "Todd cannot move the boulder because he lacks enough strength" maintains the
logical relationship of cause and effect found in the original.
