Here is our free TSI Writing practice test. The latest version of the TSI test has 30 questions on the English Language Arts and Reading test. We have divided this into two parts. This practice test covers the Language Arts section with 15 challenging practice questions. Question types include sentence revision and essay revision. Try our TSI Writing practice test to ensure that you are fully prepared.
Congratulations - you have completed .
You scored %%SCORE%% out of %%TOTAL%%.
Your performance has been rated as %%RATING%%
Your answers are highlighted below.
Question 1 |
For questions 1–11, select the best version of the underlined part of the sentence. If you think the original sentence is best, choose the first answer.
To swim, to jog, and spinning are my aunt’s favorite ways of maintaining her health.
To swim, to jog, and spinning | |
To swim, to jog, and spin | |
Swimming, jogging, and to spin | |
Swimming, jogging, and spinning |
Question 1 Explanation:
The correct answer is (D). Each of the verbs in this option are in the same, parallel form (the “-ing” verb form). The other choices do not have all three verbs in the same form. Answer (B) comes close, but is incorrect as a result of the word “to” before the final verb, “spin.” Additionally, since we are treating the verbs as subjects, they should be in the gerund format (-ing).
Question 2 |
Returning to his old job, everything there looked the same as John remembered.
Returning to his old job, | |
As he was returning to his old job, | |
When he returned to his old job, | |
To have returned to his old job, |
Question 2 Explanation:
The correct answer is (C). This answer matches the past verb tense of “looked” later in the sentence. Answer (A) contains a subject-verb mismatch. Answers (B) and (D) contain incorrect tenses.
Question 3 |
Mount Kilimanjaro is a dormant volcano in Tanzania, being the highest mountain in Africa.
being the highest | |
and is the highest | |
higher than any | |
the most high |
Question 3 Explanation:
The correct answer is (B). The word “being” is passive voice and unnecessary for this sentence. Since the first clause uses the simple present tense verb “is,” the second clause should mirror this simple expression: the mountain IS…. and IS…. The other choices are unclear or grammatically incorrect.
Question 4 |
I was alarmed by the noise looking through the window to see who was outside.
I was alarmed by the noise looking | |
The noise alarmed me, looking | |
I was alarmed by the noise, looked | |
Alarmed by the noise, I looked |
Question 4 Explanation:
The correct answer is (D). This is the only answer choice that correctly matches subject and verb. In all the other answers, the verb “look” is applied to the noise when it should be applied to the speaker.
Question 5 |
Scientists have found evidence that acid rain was a major cause of the largest extinction on Earth 250 million years ago.
Scientists have found evidence that acid rain was a major cause of the largest extinction | |
The largest extinction, caused by acid rain, was found by scientists to have happened | |
Scientists have been finding evidence that acid rain is being a major cause of the largest extinction | |
The largest extinction, which was found by scientists happening, could have been a major cause |
Question 5 Explanation:
The correct answer is (A). This answer is the most concise. Answer (B) splits up scientists and extinction, which confuses the meaning. Answer (C) has an incorrect tense- “is being.” Answer (D) changes the verb of happening from extinction to the scientists.
Question 6 |
Rushing to the scene, the frightened cat was stuck high in the tree and had to be pulled down by the firemen.
the frightened cat was stuck high in the tree and had to be pulled down by the firemen. | |
the cat that was frightened and stuck high in the tree was pulled down by the firemen. | |
the firemen had to pull down the frightened cat that was stuck high in the tree. | |
the firemen pulled down the frightened cat and were stuck high in the tree. |
Question 6 Explanation:
The correct answer is (C). This sentence begins with an opening modifying phrase, “rushing to the scene.” Whatever comes after the comma must be the person doing the action of the phrase. Ask yourself: who is rushing to the scene? Logically, it is the firemen, not the cat! Only answer (C) corrects this error without introducing an additional error.
Question 7 |
You should never leave your car running while filling the gas tank although it is cold.
filling the gas tank although | |
filling the gas tank, though | |
filling the gas tank, even if | |
filling the gas tank, notwithstanding if |
Question 7 Explanation:
The correct answer is (C). We need a comma to separate the two clauses as well as the right transition word or phrase between them. “Even if” clarifies the relationship between the clauses; cold weather is not an exception to the rule of what you should “never” do.
Question 8 |
Alex was given the cold shoulder to Mary Ann ever since he heard about her rude comments.
was given | |
had given | |
had giving | |
were giving |
Question 8 Explanation:
The correct answer is (B). Based on context clues and the preposition “to,” we can tell that Alex is giving the cold shoulder, not being given the cold shoulder. Thus, we need a verb phrase to convey this, ruling out answer (A). Answers (C) and (D) are not grammatically correct, leaving answer (B).
Question 9 |
He was sure that To Kill a Mockingbird was his favorite novel, but he just couldn’t explain why he loved it so much.
novel, but | |
novel; but | |
novel, however | |
novel, nonetheless |
Question 9 Explanation:
The correct answer is (A). The second clause is a dependent clause, so it cannot be separated by a semicolon. “But” is a conjunction that provides the proper contrast between what the subject is sure of (his favorite book) and what he can’t quite grasp about it (why it’s his favorite).
Question 10 |
If the roads were covered in snow and ice, so Kate decided to cancel her dinner plans.
If the roads | |
Since the roads | |
When the roads | |
The roads |
Question 10 Explanation:
The correct answer is (D). Since the word “so” follows the comma later in the sentence, the sentence does not need to start with a conditional word. That would mean both clauses are dependent clauses and the sentence would be incomplete.
Question 11 |
The constant noise was driving the poor woman insane, she had to find some peace and quiet soon.
insane, she had to find | |
insane, then she had to find | |
insane; she had to find | |
insane but |
Question 11 Explanation:
The correct answer is (C). Both clauses are independent, so they should be separated by a semicolon. The conjunctions of answers (B) and (D) do not make sense in the sentence.
Question 12 |
For questions 12–15, read this early draft of an essay and then answer the questions that follow.
(1) Howard Hughes was a successful Hollywood movie producer when he founded the Hughes Aircraft Company in 1932. (2) He personally tested cutting-edge aircraft of his own design and in 1937 broke the transcontinental flight-time record. (3) In 1938, he flew around the world in a record three days, 19 hours, and 14 minutes.
(4) Following the U.S. entrance into World War II in 1941, the U.S. government commissioned the Hughes Aircraft Company to build a large flying boat capable of carrying men and materials over long distances. (5) Because of wartime restrictions on steel, Hughes decided to build his aircraft out of wood laminated with plastic and covered with fabric, and they had a wingspan of 320 feet and was powered by eight giant propeller engines.
(6) Development of the Spruce Goose cost a phenomenal $23 million and took so long that the war had ended by the time of its completion in 1946. (7) The aircraft had many detractors, and Congress demanded that Hughes prove the plane airworthy. (8) On November 2, 1947, Hughes obliged, taking the prototype out into Long Beach Harbor, CA for an unannounced flight test. (9) Thousands of onlookers had come to watch the aircraft taxi on the water and were surprised when Hughes lifted his wooden behemoth 70 feet above the water and flew for a mile before landing.
(10) The Spruce Goose never went into production, primarily because critics alleged that its wooden framework was insufficient to support its weight during long flights. (11) Nevertheless, Howard Hughes, who became increasingly eccentric and withdrawn after 1950, refused to neglect what he saw as his greatest achievement in the aviation field. (12) From 1947 until his death in 1976, he kept the Spruce Goose prototype ready for flight in an enormous, climate-controlled hangar at a cost of $1 million per year. (13) Today, the Spruce Goose is housed at the Evergreen Aviation Museum in McMinnville, Oregon.
(4) Following the U.S. entrance into World War II in 1941, the U.S. government commissioned the Hughes Aircraft Company to build a large flying boat capable of carrying men and materials over long distances. (5) Because of wartime restrictions on steel, Hughes decided to build his aircraft out of wood laminated with plastic and covered with fabric, and they had a wingspan of 320 feet and was powered by eight giant propeller engines.
(6) Development of the Spruce Goose cost a phenomenal $23 million and took so long that the war had ended by the time of its completion in 1946. (7) The aircraft had many detractors, and Congress demanded that Hughes prove the plane airworthy. (8) On November 2, 1947, Hughes obliged, taking the prototype out into Long Beach Harbor, CA for an unannounced flight test. (9) Thousands of onlookers had come to watch the aircraft taxi on the water and were surprised when Hughes lifted his wooden behemoth 70 feet above the water and flew for a mile before landing.
(10) The Spruce Goose never went into production, primarily because critics alleged that its wooden framework was insufficient to support its weight during long flights. (11) Nevertheless, Howard Hughes, who became increasingly eccentric and withdrawn after 1950, refused to neglect what he saw as his greatest achievement in the aviation field. (12) From 1947 until his death in 1976, he kept the Spruce Goose prototype ready for flight in an enormous, climate-controlled hangar at a cost of $1 million per year. (13) Today, the Spruce Goose is housed at the Evergreen Aviation Museum in McMinnville, Oregon.
In context, which of the following sentences would best be inserted after sentence 3?
The Hughes XF-11, a prototype military reconnaissance aircraft was designed by him for the USAF. | |
He directed the 1943 Western film, The Outlaw, which starred Jane Russell. | |
The concept for what would become the “Spruce Goose” was originally conceived by the industrialist Henry Kaiser, but Kaiser dropped out of the project early. | |
In 1939, he quietly purchased a majority share of TWA stock for nearly US$7 million and took control of the airline. |
Question 12 Explanation:
The correct answer is (D). The first three sentences of the passage give background information on Howard Hughes and his interest in aviation. Another sentence in this paragraph should deal with the same type of information. Answer (A) is tempting, but this information doesn’t make as much sense with the timeline of events in the passage.
Question 13 |
(1) Howard Hughes was a successful Hollywood movie producer when he founded the Hughes Aircraft Company in 1932. (2) He personally tested cutting-edge aircraft of his own design and in 1937 broke the transcontinental flight-time record. (3) In 1938, he flew around the world in a record three days, 19 hours, and 14 minutes.
(4) Following the U.S. entrance into World War II in 1941, the U.S. government commissioned the Hughes Aircraft Company to build a large flying boat capable of carrying men and materials over long distances. (5) Because of wartime restrictions on steel, Hughes decided to build his aircraft out of wood laminated with plastic and covered with fabric, and they had a wingspan of 320 feet and was powered by eight giant propeller engines.
(6) Development of the Spruce Goose cost a phenomenal $23 million and took so long that the war had ended by the time of its completion in 1946. (7) The aircraft had many detractors, and Congress demanded that Hughes prove the plane airworthy. (8) On November 2, 1947, Hughes obliged, taking the prototype out into Long Beach Harbor, CA for an unannounced flight test. (9) Thousands of onlookers had come to watch the aircraft taxi on the water and were surprised when Hughes lifted his wooden behemoth 70 feet above the water and flew for a mile before landing.
(10) The Spruce Goose never went into production, primarily because critics alleged that its wooden framework was insufficient to support its weight during long flights. (11) Nevertheless, Howard Hughes, who became increasingly eccentric and withdrawn after 1950, refused to neglect what he saw as his greatest achievement in the aviation field. (12) From 1947 until his death in 1976, he kept the Spruce Goose prototype ready for flight in an enormous, climate-controlled hangar at a cost of $1 million per year. (13) Today, the Spruce Goose is housed at the Evergreen Aviation Museum in McMinnville, Oregon.
(4) Following the U.S. entrance into World War II in 1941, the U.S. government commissioned the Hughes Aircraft Company to build a large flying boat capable of carrying men and materials over long distances. (5) Because of wartime restrictions on steel, Hughes decided to build his aircraft out of wood laminated with plastic and covered with fabric, and they had a wingspan of 320 feet and was powered by eight giant propeller engines.
(6) Development of the Spruce Goose cost a phenomenal $23 million and took so long that the war had ended by the time of its completion in 1946. (7) The aircraft had many detractors, and Congress demanded that Hughes prove the plane airworthy. (8) On November 2, 1947, Hughes obliged, taking the prototype out into Long Beach Harbor, CA for an unannounced flight test. (9) Thousands of onlookers had come to watch the aircraft taxi on the water and were surprised when Hughes lifted his wooden behemoth 70 feet above the water and flew for a mile before landing.
(10) The Spruce Goose never went into production, primarily because critics alleged that its wooden framework was insufficient to support its weight during long flights. (11) Nevertheless, Howard Hughes, who became increasingly eccentric and withdrawn after 1950, refused to neglect what he saw as his greatest achievement in the aviation field. (12) From 1947 until his death in 1976, he kept the Spruce Goose prototype ready for flight in an enormous, climate-controlled hangar at a cost of $1 million per year. (13) Today, the Spruce Goose is housed at the Evergreen Aviation Museum in McMinnville, Oregon.
In context, which of the following is the best way to revise and combine sentences 2 and 3 (reproduced below)?
He personally tested cutting-edge aircraft of his own design and in 1937 broke the transcontinental flight-time record. In 1938, he flew around the world in a record three days, 19 hours, and 14 minutes.He personally tested cutting-edge aircraft of his own design and in 1937, he broke the transcontinental flight-time record, and then he flew around the world in a record three days, 19 hours, and 14 minutes in 1938. | |
Howard Hughes personally tested cutting-edge aircraft of his own design and broke the transcontinental flight-time record in 1937, and in 1938, he flew around the world in a record three days, 19 hours, and 14 minutes. | |
He personally tested cutting-edge aircraft of his own design and in 1937 broke the transcontinental flight-time record, and in 1938 he flew around the world in a record three days, 19 hours, and 14 minutes. | |
Howard Hughes personally tested cutting-edge aircraft of his own design and in 1937 broke the transcontinental flight-time record; and in 1938, flew around the world in a record three days, 19 hours, and 14 minutes. |
Question 13 Explanation:
The correct answer is (C). This is the clearest, most concise option. Answers (B) and (D) unnecessarily repeat the name “Howard Hughes.” It’s less clunky if we just replace it with the pronoun “he.” Answer (A) unnecessarily repeats the word “he” and is awkwardly constructed.
Question 14 |
(1) Howard Hughes was a successful Hollywood movie producer when he founded the Hughes Aircraft Company in 1932. (2) He personally tested cutting-edge aircraft of his own design and in 1937 broke the transcontinental flight-time record. (3) In 1938, he flew around the world in a record three days, 19 hours, and 14 minutes.
(4) Following the U.S. entrance into World War II in 1941, the U.S. government commissioned the Hughes Aircraft Company to build a large flying boat capable of carrying men and materials over long distances. (5) Because of wartime restrictions on steel, Hughes decided to build his aircraft out of wood laminated with plastic and covered with fabric, and they had a wingspan of 320 feet and was powered by eight giant propeller engines.
(6) Development of the Spruce Goose cost a phenomenal $23 million and took so long that the war had ended by the time of its completion in 1946. (7) The aircraft had many detractors, and Congress demanded that Hughes prove the plane airworthy. (8) On November 2, 1947, Hughes obliged, taking the prototype out into Long Beach Harbor, CA for an unannounced flight test. (9) Thousands of onlookers had come to watch the aircraft taxi on the water and were surprised when Hughes lifted his wooden behemoth 70 feet above the water and flew for a mile before landing.
(10) The Spruce Goose never went into production, primarily because critics alleged that its wooden framework was insufficient to support its weight during long flights. (11) Nevertheless, Howard Hughes, who became increasingly eccentric and withdrawn after 1950, refused to neglect what he saw as his greatest achievement in the aviation field. (12) From 1947 until his death in 1976, he kept the Spruce Goose prototype ready for flight in an enormous, climate-controlled hangar at a cost of $1 million per year. (13) Today, the Spruce Goose is housed at the Evergreen Aviation Museum in McMinnville, Oregon.
(4) Following the U.S. entrance into World War II in 1941, the U.S. government commissioned the Hughes Aircraft Company to build a large flying boat capable of carrying men and materials over long distances. (5) Because of wartime restrictions on steel, Hughes decided to build his aircraft out of wood laminated with plastic and covered with fabric, and they had a wingspan of 320 feet and was powered by eight giant propeller engines.
(6) Development of the Spruce Goose cost a phenomenal $23 million and took so long that the war had ended by the time of its completion in 1946. (7) The aircraft had many detractors, and Congress demanded that Hughes prove the plane airworthy. (8) On November 2, 1947, Hughes obliged, taking the prototype out into Long Beach Harbor, CA for an unannounced flight test. (9) Thousands of onlookers had come to watch the aircraft taxi on the water and were surprised when Hughes lifted his wooden behemoth 70 feet above the water and flew for a mile before landing.
(10) The Spruce Goose never went into production, primarily because critics alleged that its wooden framework was insufficient to support its weight during long flights. (11) Nevertheless, Howard Hughes, who became increasingly eccentric and withdrawn after 1950, refused to neglect what he saw as his greatest achievement in the aviation field. (12) From 1947 until his death in 1976, he kept the Spruce Goose prototype ready for flight in an enormous, climate-controlled hangar at a cost of $1 million per year. (13) Today, the Spruce Goose is housed at the Evergreen Aviation Museum in McMinnville, Oregon.
In context, where would the following sentence best be placed?
This project came to be known as the “Spruce Goose.”After sentence 2 | |
After sentence 5 | |
After sentence 6 | |
After sentence 8 |
Question 14 Explanation:
The correct answer is (B). Hughes’ work on the project is first mentioned in sentence 5, and then sentence 6 gives us the name “Spruce Goose” for the first time. Logically, a sentence introducing its name should come before sentence 6.
Question 15 |
(1) Howard Hughes was a successful Hollywood movie producer when he founded the Hughes Aircraft Company in 1932. (2) He personally tested cutting-edge aircraft of his own design and in 1937 broke the transcontinental flight-time record. (3) In 1938, he flew around the world in a record three days, 19 hours, and 14 minutes.
(4) Following the U.S. entrance into World War II in 1941, the U.S. government commissioned the Hughes Aircraft Company to build a large flying boat capable of carrying men and materials over long distances. (5) Because of wartime restrictions on steel, Hughes decided to build his aircraft out of wood laminated with plastic and covered with fabric, and they had a wingspan of 320 feet and was powered by eight giant propeller engines.
(6) Development of the Spruce Goose cost a phenomenal $23 million and took so long that the war had ended by the time of its completion in 1946. (7) The aircraft had many detractors, and Congress demanded that Hughes prove the plane airworthy. (8) On November 2, 1947, Hughes obliged, taking the prototype out into Long Beach Harbor, CA for an unannounced flight test. (9) Thousands of onlookers had come to watch the aircraft taxi on the water and were surprised when Hughes lifted his wooden behemoth 70 feet above the water and flew for a mile before landing.
(10) The Spruce Goose never went into production, primarily because critics alleged that its wooden framework was insufficient to support its weight during long flights. (11) Nevertheless, Howard Hughes, who became increasingly eccentric and withdrawn after 1950, refused to neglect what he saw as his greatest achievement in the aviation field. (12) From 1947 until his death in 1976, he kept the Spruce Goose prototype ready for flight in an enormous, climate-controlled hangar at a cost of $1 million per year. (13) Today, the Spruce Goose is housed at the Evergreen Aviation Museum in McMinnville, Oregon.
(4) Following the U.S. entrance into World War II in 1941, the U.S. government commissioned the Hughes Aircraft Company to build a large flying boat capable of carrying men and materials over long distances. (5) Because of wartime restrictions on steel, Hughes decided to build his aircraft out of wood laminated with plastic and covered with fabric, and they had a wingspan of 320 feet and was powered by eight giant propeller engines.
(6) Development of the Spruce Goose cost a phenomenal $23 million and took so long that the war had ended by the time of its completion in 1946. (7) The aircraft had many detractors, and Congress demanded that Hughes prove the plane airworthy. (8) On November 2, 1947, Hughes obliged, taking the prototype out into Long Beach Harbor, CA for an unannounced flight test. (9) Thousands of onlookers had come to watch the aircraft taxi on the water and were surprised when Hughes lifted his wooden behemoth 70 feet above the water and flew for a mile before landing.
(10) The Spruce Goose never went into production, primarily because critics alleged that its wooden framework was insufficient to support its weight during long flights. (11) Nevertheless, Howard Hughes, who became increasingly eccentric and withdrawn after 1950, refused to neglect what he saw as his greatest achievement in the aviation field. (12) From 1947 until his death in 1976, he kept the Spruce Goose prototype ready for flight in an enormous, climate-controlled hangar at a cost of $1 million per year. (13) Today, the Spruce Goose is housed at the Evergreen Aviation Museum in McMinnville, Oregon.
Which of the following sentences from the passage could best be deleted without losing too much essential information?
Sentence 3 | |
Sentence 7 | |
Sentence 10 | |
Sentence 12 |
Question 15 Explanation:
The correct answer is (A). The last sentence of the first paragraph simply offers another fact of Hughes’ interest in aviation. It is extremely similar to sentence 2 and does not contain information that is relevant to the story of the “Spruce Goose.” If it were deleted, the passage wouldn’t lose any essential information about the “Spruce Goose.” Each of the other sentences relate too much to that topic to be able to be easily omitted.
Once you are finished, click the button below. Any items you have not completed will be marked incorrect.
There are 15 questions to complete.
|
List |