ACCUPLACER ESL Practice Tests

Question 1

1. According to the notice, the pool is closed on Mondays because (A) the lifeguards take a day off (B) it is cleaned on that day (C) swimming lessons are held then (D) children under 12 cannot swim then

Question 2

1. According to the passage, owls can fly almost silently because (A) they fly only at night (B) they hunt animals under the snow (C) they have excellent hearing (D) their feathers are shaped to reduce noise

Question 3

1. In the passage, the word 'She' refers to (A) Mrs. Porter (B) Ryan (C) a customer (D) Ryan's mother

Question 4

1. According to the passage, washing clothes in cold water saves energy because (A) cold water cleans clothes better (B) the washing machine runs for less time (C) most of a washing machine's electricity is used to heat water (D) devices use power when they are plugged in

Question 5

1. According to the passage, rulers kept early menageries mainly to (A) show how rich and powerful they were (B) help scientists study animals (C) teach ordinary people about nature (D) protect animals that were in danger

Question 6

1. As used in the passage, the phrase 'put off' most nearly means (A) finish (B) delay (C) dislike (D) remove

Question 7

1. What is the main idea of the passage? (A) Painting on city walls is still against the law in most cities. (B) Tourists visit cities mainly to see their murals. (C) Local residents paint most city murals themselves. (D) Many cities now use murals to improve neighborhoods and reflect local life.

Question 8

1. The passage suggests that the tears caused by onions are the eyes' way of (A) showing that a person feels sad (B) reacting to the strong smell of onions (C) protecting themselves from something that irritates them (D) cooling down after a person works hard

Questions 9-10

1. According to the passage, the pieces in chaturanga represented (A) workers on a farm (B) parts of an army (C) animals found in India (D) different kinds of travelers
2. From this passage, a reader can most reasonably conclude that (A) the chess played today is different from the original game (B) the queen has always been the strongest piece in chess (C) chess was first invented in Europe in the late 1400s (D) chaturanga was played mainly by soldiers

Question 11

1. Which of the following is an opinion rather than a fact? (A) In one study, writers guessed how happy the receivers would feel. (B) The receivers felt happier than the writers expected. (C) Everyone should write at least one thank-you note a week. (D) The people in the study wrote thank-you letters.

Question 12

1. Which of the following is implied in the passage? (A) Daniel forgot part of his piece. (B) Daniel's parents did not come to the concert. (C) Daniel's teacher was disappointed with him. (D) Daniel's performance was a success.

Question 13

1. The email indicates that the workshop (A) has been canceled (B) will start later than planned (C) will be held in Room 204 (D) will take place at the same time but in a different room

Question 14

1. Which sentence is least relevant to the main idea of the passage? (A) Sentence 4 (B) Sentence 2 (C) Sentence 3 (D) Sentence 5

Question 15

1. As used in the passage, the word 'touch' most nearly means (A) the sense of feeling with the skin (B) the way a player presses the keys (C) a very small amount of something (D) contact between friends

Questions 16-17

1. According to the passage, the natural ice trade disappeared because (A) the lakes in the northeastern United States stopped freezing (B) ships could no longer carry ice to warm places (C) machines made it possible to keep things cold without lake ice (D) people in warm countries stopped using ice
2. Based on the passage, workers packed ice in sawdust for the same reason that people (A) wrap a hot dish in a thick towel to keep it warm (B) add ice to a drink to make it colder (C) open a window to let fresh air into a room (D) put wet clothes in the sun to dry them

Question 18

1. From this passage, a reader can most reasonably conclude that the author believes that (A) after-school activities are a waste of time (B) children should decide their own schedules (C) children benefit from some unplanned free time (D) parents should make sure children are never bored

Question 19

1. The passage implies that a haiku (A) is always about animals or nature (B) often suggests more than its words actually say (C) is easier to write in English than in Japanese (D) explains the poet's feelings in detail

Question 20

1. What is the main idea of the passage? (A) Sea turtles hatch only on dark beaches. (B) Cities should turn off all their lights at night. (C) Bright city lights make it hard to see the stars. (D) Artificial light at night can harm animals as well as hide the stars.

Part 1 — Sentence Completion — Questions 1-10

Choose the word or phrase that, when inserted in the blank space, makes the sentence meaningful and correct.

1. The shop __________ at nine o'clock, so we waited outside until then. (A) sells (B) closes (C) opens (D) buys
2. The doctor told Tom to __________ in bed for two days until his fever went down. (A) stay (B) put (C) hold (D) spend
3. Hannah's backpack is __________ than mine, so she needs help carrying it. (A) lighter (B) heaviest (C) more heavy (D) heavier
4. Ben's teacher asked him to __________ the new words in a dictionary. (A) look after (B) look up (C) look into (D) look over
5. __________ the museum was free on Sundays, very few people visited it in winter. (A) Because (B) Although (C) Unless (D) Since
6. Scientists __________ the temperature of the ocean every hour to see how quickly it changes. (A) weigh (B) count (C) grow (D) measure
7. The city built a new __________ over the river so that people could walk to the park more easily. (A) bridge (B) tunnel (C) fence (D) stream
8. The meeting was __________ until next week because the manager was ill. (A) put out (B) put up (C) put off (D) put on
9. Early portrait photographs sometimes required people to sit still for several minutes, so a natural smile was hard to __________. (A) maintain (B) remain (C) entertain (D) explain
10. The first draft of the report was confusing; the second draft, __________, was clear and well organized. (A) as a result (B) for example (C) by contrast (D) in addition

Part 2 — Sentence Comprehension — Questions 11-20

Read the sentence below, then choose the best answer to the question.

1. Whose bicycle is Emma riding? (A) Her coworker's (B) Her roommate's (C) Her own (D) One she just bought
2. What did Lucy do first? (A) She locked the front door. (B) She went to the airport. (C) She bought new plants. (D) She watered her plants.
3. What happened to Jacob? (A) He had no more milk. (B) He ran to the store to buy milk. (C) He spilled his milk. (D) He decided he did not like milk.
4. What does the sentence mean? (A) She was taking a hot bath. (B) Her parents were angry with her. (C) She felt warm and happy. (D) Her parents were worried about the weather.
5. What has changed? (A) The library opens earlier than before. (B) The library is closed during exam week. (C) The library closes later than before. (D) Students must leave at midnight all year.
6. Why was Emma's drive longer? (A) She left home late. (B) Her car needed repairs. (C) There was heavy traffic on the bridge. (D) The bridge she usually crosses was closed.
7. How often do they see the uncle? (A) Every month (B) Very rarely (C) Only at night (D) When the moon is full
8. What will the committee probably do next? (A) Ask parents what they think (B) Build the playground immediately (C) Cancel the playground project (D) Hold a party for local parents
9. What does the company plan to do? (A) Print more paper receipts (B) Stop offering digital receipts (C) Give customers a choice of receipts forever (D) Gradually stop giving paper receipts
10. What does the sentence mean? (A) She needed to eat before the exam. (B) She was still very nervous. (C) The exam seemed easy to her. (D) The exam was about baking.

Part 1 — Sentence Completion — Questions 1-10

Each sentence has a blank space. Choose the word or phrase that makes a grammatically correct sentence.

1. Every morning, my sister __________ to work before seven o'clock. (A) drive (B) are driving (C) driving (D) drives
2. Mr. Harris gave the tickets to Anna and __________. (A) I (B) me (C) my (D) mine
3. The children walked __________ past the sleeping baby. (A) quietly (B) quiet (C) quieter (D) quietness
4. By the time we arrived at the station, the train __________. (A) leaves (B) has left (C) had left (D) leaving
5. The student __________ essay won the prize will read it at the ceremony. (A) whose (B) who (C) whom (D) which
6. This year's winter was __________ than last year's, so we used less heating. (A) warm (B) warmest (C) more warmer (D) warmer
7. The workshop will take place __________ Friday afternoon in the main hall. (A) in (B) on (C) at (D) for
8. If I __________ about the traffic, I would have taken the train. (A) know (B) would know (C) had known (D) have known
9. Nathan has __________ the same blue jacket to every job interview. (A) wore (B) wear (C) weared (D) worn
10. The new manager is known for being fair, patient, and __________. (A) organized (B) organizing (C) she organizes (D) to organize

Part 2 — Sentence Combining — Questions 11-20

Read the two sentences below and choose the best way of combining them.

1. The store was closed. We went home. (A) The store was closed, but we went home. (B) The store was closed, so we went home. (C) Because we went home, the store was closed. (D) The store was closed we went home.
2. Lucy washed the dishes. Lucy dried the dishes. (A) Lucy washed the dishes, Lucy dried the dishes. (B) Lucy washing and drying the dishes. (C) Lucy washed and dried the dishes. (D) Lucy washed the dishes, and she dried the dishes.
3. My brother plays the guitar. My cousin plays the guitar too. (A) My brother and my cousin both plays the guitar. (B) My brother and my cousin both play the guitar. (C) My brother or my cousin play the guitar. (D) My brother plays the guitar, my cousin too plays.
4. The apartment is small. It has a beautiful view of the park. (A) Because the apartment is small, it has a beautiful view of the park. (B) The apartment is small, therefore it has a beautiful view of the park. (C) Although the apartment is small, but it has a beautiful view of the park. (D) Although the apartment is small, it has a beautiful view of the park.
5. Dr. Wilson is a dentist. She works near my office. (A) Dr. Wilson is a dentist who works near my office. (B) Dr. Wilson is a dentist which works near my office. (C) Dr. Wilson is a dentist who she works near my office. (D) Dr. Wilson, she is a dentist works near my office.
6. Grace answered the questions. Her answers were careful. (A) Grace answered the questions careful. (B) Grace answered carefully the questions, which were careful. (C) Grace answered the questions carefully. (D) Grace carefully answered the questions careful.
7. Emma finished her homework. Then she called her friend. (A) Before Emma finished her homework, she called her friend. (B) After Emma finishing her homework, she called her friend. (C) After Emma had finished her homework, she called her friend. (D) Emma called her friend, after she finish her homework.
8. Heavy rain fell for three days. The river rose above its banks. (A) Because heavy rain fell for three days, the river rose above its banks. (B) Heavy rain fell for three days because the river rose above its banks. (C) Although heavy rain fell for three days, the river rose above its banks. (D) Heavy rain falling for three days, and the river rose above its banks.
9. I was walking to class. I saw a rainbow over the library. (A) Walking to class, the library had a rainbow over it. (B) I was walking to class, I saw a rainbow over the library. (C) While walking to class, a rainbow appeared over the library. (D) While I was walking to class, I saw a rainbow over the library.
10. The course teaches students how to write reports. It also teaches them how to give presentations. (A) The course teaches students how to write reports and giving presentations. (B) The course teaches students how to write reports and give presentations. (C) The course teaches students how to write reports, it also teaches them presentations. (D) The course teaches students writing reports and how they give presentations.

Question 1

Look at the picture of the speakers. Listen to the conversation and the question, then choose the best answer.

1. What was the woman unable to find? (A) Fresh basil (B) Dried basil (C) The card reader (D) The delivery schedule

Question 2

Look at the picture of the speakers. Listen to the conversation and the question, then choose the best answer.

1. What does the librarian tell the student? (A) The second-floor printer has been fixed. (B) She must pay for every page. (C) She can use a printer near the main entrance. (D) Her class has moved to ten o'clock.

Question 3

Look at the picture of the speakers. Listen to the conversation and the question, then choose the best answer.

1. What must the man do before he sees the doctor? (A) Get a new insurance card (B) Fill out a form (C) Make another appointment (D) Pay a late fee

Question 4

Look at the picture of the speakers. Listen to the conversation and the question, then choose the best answer.

1. Which section of the biology class will the student take? (A) The morning section (B) An online section (C) A section next year (D) The evening section

Question 5

Look at the picture of the speakers. Listen to the conversation and the question, then choose the best answer.

1. What will the woman probably do next? (A) Wait for the next number twelve bus (B) Walk across the street to get a taxi (C) Check into the hotel (D) Take a later train

Question 6

Look at the picture of the speakers. Listen to the conversation and the question, then choose the best answer.

1. What does Kate mean when she says, 'You might want to borrow mine'? (A) She is offering to lend her scarf. (B) She wants her own scarf back. (C) She thinks the blue scarf is hers. (D) She wants to buy a new scarf.

Questions 7-8

Look at the picture of the speakers. Listen to the conversation and the question, then choose the best answer.

1. What problem does the student have? (A) He lost his research paper. (B) He missed a class on Monday. (C) He hasn't finished his paper because he was ill. (D) He doesn't understand the paper topic.
2. What will the student probably do this afternoon? (A) Hand in his finished paper (B) Take a make-up exam (C) Meet the professor again (D) Get a note from the health center

Question 9

Look at the picture of the speakers. Listen to the conversation and the question, then choose the best answer.

1. What does the man mean when he says, 'Count me in for the goodbye card'? (A) He wants to be included in signing the card. (B) He will count the money for the card. (C) He is going to buy the card himself. (D) He does not want to sign the card.

Question 10

Look at the picture of the speakers. Listen to the conversation and the question, then choose the best answer.

1. What does the clerk say about the student's financial aid? (A) It will be reduced next semester. (B) It will stay the same because she is still full-time. (C) She must add a class to keep it. (D) She will lose it because she dropped a class.

Question 11

Look at the picture of the speakers. Listen to the conversation and the question, then choose the best answer.

1. What can be inferred about the plumber? (A) He fixed the woman's sink last night. (B) He lives in apartment 3B. (C) He will not come until next week. (D) He will probably fix the woman's sink today.

Questions 12-13

Look at the picture of the speakers. Listen to the conversation and the question, then choose the best answer.

1. What has the woman already finished? (A) The survey results (B) The recommendations (C) The charts (D) The whole presentation
2. Why does the woman mention what the professor said? (A) To explain why the recommendations need extra care (B) To complain about how the project is graded (C) To suggest they ask the professor for help (D) To show that she has finished her part

Question 14

Look at the picture of the speakers. Listen to the conversation and the question, then choose the best answer.

1. How does Luke feel about joining the debate club? (A) Excited and certain he will join (B) Not interested at all (C) Interested, but unsure he has enough time (D) Upset that the tryouts are on Thursday

Question 15

Look at the picture of the speakers. Listen to the conversation and the question, then choose the best answer.

1. What does the man imply about the woman's tomato plants? (A) They need more water in the evening. (B) They are healthier than his plants. (C) The hot weather damaged their leaves. (D) Watering them in the evening may be causing the spots.

Questions 16-17

Look at the picture of the speaker. Listen to the lecture and the questions, then choose the best answer.

1. What is the lecture mainly about? (A) How bees make honey inside the hive (B) How honeybees communicate where food is (C) The life of the scientist Karl von Frisch (D) Why bees prefer certain kinds of flowers
2. What can be inferred about a bee that waggles for a long time? (A) It found a very large patch of flowers. (B) It is tired after a long flight. (C) It found food very close to the hive. (D) It found food far from the hive.

Questions 18-20

Look at the picture of the speaker. Listen to the lecture and the questions, then choose the best answer.

1. According to the professor, why were books expensive before the printing press? (A) Each copy had to be written by hand. (B) Paper had to be brought from China. (C) Only universities were allowed to sell them. (D) Metal letters cost a lot of money.
2. What does the professor say about printing in China and Korea? (A) It began after Gutenberg's press. (B) It was used for centuries before Gutenberg. (C) It used the same ink as Gutenberg. (D) It was used only for printing maps.
3. Why does the professor compare the printing press to the internet? (A) To explain how Gutenberg's press worked (B) To suggest that printed books will disappear (C) To show that both greatly sped up the spread of information (D) To show that the internet began in Germany

Part 1 — WritePlacer ESL — A Person Who Influenced You

Write about 300-600 words. The essay is not marked automatically: compare it with the Score 6, 4 and 2 sample essays below, or, if you are a 7ESL Pro member, get an AI score estimate (1-6) with feedback on the four WritePlacer ESL dimensions.