Free TEAS 7 English & Language Usage Practice Test 2 — 30 Questions With Full Explanations

Question 1. Conventions of Standard English medium

Which sentence correctly punctuates a list of three or more items?

• A. For the picnic we packed sandwiches fruit, and lemonade.
• B. For the picnic we packed sandwiches, fruit, and lemonade. (correct)
• C. For the picnic we packed, sandwiches fruit and lemonade.
• D. For the picnic we packed sandwiches, fruit and, lemonade.

Explanation: A list of three or more items needs a comma after every item except the last, and formal writing adds a serial comma before the conjunction. Option B separates sandwiches, fruit, and lemonade correctly. Option A fuses sandwiches and fruit together, option C plants a comma between the verb and its direct object, and option D isolates the conjunction with a stray comma.

Question 2. Conventions of Standard English medium

Which option correctly punctuates this sentence? "Because the power went out the evening shift worked by flashlight."

• A. Because the power went out, the evening shift worked by flashlight. (correct)
• B. Because, the power went out the evening shift worked by flashlight.
• C. Because the power went out the evening, shift worked by flashlight.
• D. Because the power went out; the evening shift worked by flashlight.

Explanation: An introductory dependent clause must be set off from the main clause with a comma, so option A is correct. Option B splits the subordinating conjunction from its own clause, option C separates the subject from its verb phrase, and option D uses a semicolon between a dependent clause and an independent clause, which is never allowed because a semicolon must join two independent clauses.

Question 3. Conventions of Standard English hard

Which option uses the semicolon correctly? "The shuttle departed on time all forty seats were filled."

• A. The shuttle departed on time, all forty seats were filled.
• B. The shuttle departed on time; all forty seats, were filled.
• C. The shuttle departed on time; all forty seats were filled. (correct)
• D. The shuttle departed on time; and all forty seats were filled.

Explanation: A semicolon joins two closely related independent clauses without a conjunction, so option C is correct. Option A splices the two clauses with only a comma, option B inserts a comma inside the subject of the second clause, and option D sets a semicolon before the coordinating conjunction and, which is redundant because the conjunction already performs the joining.

Question 4. Conventions of Standard English medium

Which sentence uses the possessive apostrophe correctly?

• A. A single intern's badge opened every door on the ward. (correct)
• B. A single interns' badge opened every door on the ward.
• C. A single intern's' badge opened every door on the ward.
• D. A single interns badge opened every door on the ward.

Explanation: A singular possessive is formed by adding an apostrophe and s to the noun, so one intern's badge is correct. Option B treats the single intern as plural by placing the apostrophe after the s, option C stacks two apostrophes, and option D drops the apostrophe entirely, turning the possessive into a plain plural noun.

Question 5. Conventions of Standard English medium

Choose the sentence in which the subject and verb agree correctly.

• A. The basket of ripe peaches sit on the counter.
• B. A row of tulips border the walkway.
• C. The stack of old journals takes up half the closet. (correct)
• D. The pile of laundry need folding this morning.

Explanation: The true subject, not the noun inside a prepositional phrase, controls the verb. In option C the subject is the singular noun stack, so the singular verb takes is correct. Option A matches sit with basket, option B matches border with row, and option D matches need with pile; all three give singular subjects plural verbs.

Question 6. Conventions of Standard English medium

Which sentence maintains correct pronoun-antecedent agreement?

• A. The students who finished early returned their quizzes to the front desk. (correct)
• B. The students who finished early returned his quizzes to the front desk.
• C. The students who finished early returned its quizzes to the front desk.
• D. The students who finished early returned her quizzes to the front desk.

Explanation: A pronoun must agree in number with its antecedent. The antecedent is the plural noun students, so the possessive pronoun must also be plural, which is why option A's their is correct. Option B uses the singular his, option C uses its, which is reserved for things rather than people, and option D uses the singular her; none matches a plural antecedent.

Question 7. Conventions of Standard English medium

Which sentence keeps the verb tenses consistent?

• A. Maya opened the lab, ran the samples, and writes the report.
• B. Maya opened the lab, runs the samples, and wrote the report.
• C. Maya opens the lab, runs the samples, and writes the report. (correct)
• D. Maya will open the lab, will run the samples, and wrote the report.

Explanation: Verbs in a single sentence should stay in the same time frame unless the meaning demands a shift. Option C keeps all three verbs in the present tense. Option A drifts from past to present with writes, option B drifts from past to present with runs, and option D drops from the future forms will open and will run to the past verb wrote.

Question 8. Conventions of Standard English easy

Which option is a complete sentence?

• A. The printer jammed again during the morning rush. (correct)
• B. Because the elevator was out of service.
• C. Although the rain had finally stopped.
• D. Running late for the eight o'clock briefing.

Explanation: A complete sentence needs at least one independent clause with a subject and a predicate that can stand alone. Option A has both, so it is complete. Options B and C begin with subordinating conjunctions and never supply the main clause they promise, and option D is a participial phrase with no finite verb and no subject of its own.

Question 9. Conventions of Standard English medium

Which option corrects the comma splice in this sentence? "The battery died, the screen went dark."

• A. The battery died the screen went dark.
• B. The battery, died the screen went dark.
• C. The battery died, the, screen went dark.
• D. The battery died; the screen went dark. (correct)

Explanation: A comma splice joins two independent clauses with only a comma. Replacing the comma with a semicolon, as option D does, correctly links the two closely related clauses. Option A fuses the sentences with no punctuation at all, option B inserts a comma between the subject and its verb, and option C adds a second stray comma that splits the subject of the second clause.

Question 10. Conventions of Standard English hard

Which sentence uses parallel structure?

• A. The new policy requires staff to log hours, to submit receipts, and to keep a daily summary. (correct)
• B. The new policy requires staff to log hours, to submit receipts, and keeping a daily summary.
• C. The new policy requires staff to log hours, submitting receipts, and keeping a daily summary.
• D. The new policy requires staff logging hours, to submit receipts, and keep a daily summary.

Explanation: Items in a series that serve the same function must take the same grammatical form. Option A keeps all three items as to plus verb infinitives, so the list is parallel. Option B breaks the pattern by switching the third item to the gerund keeping, option C mixes infinitive and gerund forms, and option D mixes a participle, an infinitive, and a bare verb.

Question 11. Conventions of Standard English medium

Select the sentence with correct capitalization.

• A. my family spent the holiday visiting the Grand Canyon.
• B. My family spent the holiday visiting the Grand Canyon. (correct)
• C. My family spent the holiday visiting the grand canyon.
• D. My family spent the holiday Visiting the Grand Canyon.

Explanation: Capitalize the first word of a sentence, proper nouns, and the names of specific places. Option B capitalizes the sentence opener and the proper noun Grand Canyon, while leaving the generic word holiday lowercase. Option A fails to capitalize the first word, option C lowercases the proper noun, and option D capitalizes the verb Visiting for no reason.

Question 12. Knowledge of Language medium

Which sentence is appropriate for a formal report?

• A. The results were kinda surprising to everyone on the team.
• B. The results were pretty good for a first attempt.
• C. The results did not match the predictions of the model. (correct)
• D. The results blew everyone away, honestly.

Explanation: Formal writing avoids casual hedges like kinda, vague colloquial intensifiers like pretty, and slang like blew everyone away. Option C states the outcome with neutral, precise language that suits a professional report. Options A and B use conversational softening words, and option D slips into slang with an informal interjection.

Question 13. Knowledge of Language medium

Which revision removes wordiness from this sentence? "Due to the fact that the supply room was locked, we could not access the gauze."

• A. In the event that the supply room was locked, we could not access the gauze.
• B. Because the supply room was locked, we could not access the gauze. (correct)
• C. On account of the fact of the supply room being locked, we could not access the gauze.
• D. The supply room was locked, we could not access the gauze.

Explanation: The phrase due to the fact that is a wordy stand-in for the single conjunction because. Option B makes the substitution and cuts four words without changing the meaning. Option A merely trades one inflated opener for another, option C adds even more filler, and option D drops the connector and creates a comma splice.

Question 14. Knowledge of Language easy

Which sentence is free of redundancy?

• A. Please combine together the two lists before noon.
• B. The two lists were merged together before noon.
• C. The assistant combined the two lists together before noon.
• D. The assistant combined the two lists before noon. (correct)

Explanation: The verbs combine and merge already include the idea of together, so the adverb simply repeats information. Option D states the action once and is free of redundancy. Options A, B, and C each pair a verb with the redundant modifier together, which adds nothing to the meaning.

Question 15. Knowledge of Language medium

Combine these two sentences into one clear sentence: "The alarm sounded. The night crew evacuated the ward." Which option does this best?

• A. The alarm sounded, the night crew evacuated the ward.
• B. When the alarm sounded, the night crew evacuated the ward. (correct)
• C. The alarm sounded however the night crew evacuated the ward.
• D. The alarm sounded and the night crew evacuating the ward.

Explanation: The best combination subordinates the earlier event to the main clause with when, which makes the sequence of events clear and keeps both ideas intact. Option A splices two independent clauses with a comma, option C drops the punctuation that however needs, and option D leaves a broken verb form in the second clause.

Question 16. Knowledge of Language hard

Which revision changes this sentence from passive to active voice? "The medication was administered by the night nurse."

• A. The night nurse administered the medication. (correct)
• B. The medication was given by the night nurse.
• C. The medication got administered by the night nurse.
• D. By the night nurse, the medication was administered.

Explanation: In active voice the subject performs the action, while in passive voice the subject receives it and the doer trails behind a by phrase. Option A makes the night nurse the subject who performs the administering. Options B and D keep the passive structure with different wording, and option C stays passive while adding the informal got.

Question 17. Knowledge of Language hard

Which option avoids an unclear pronoun reference? "When the courier met the driver, he handed over the manifest."

• A. When the courier met the driver, they handed over the manifest.
• B. When the courier met the driver, it handed over the manifest.
• C. When the courier met the driver, the courier handed over the manifest. (correct)
• D. When the courier met the driver, her handed over the manifest.

Explanation: A pronoun needs an unmistakable antecedent. In option C the subject is named twice, so the reader knows exactly who acted. Option A's they does not state which person handed over the manifest, option B uses it for a person, and option D uses the object form her as the subject of the verb.

Question 18. Knowledge of Language hard

Which sentence places the modifier "still bubbling" correctly?

• A. The cook served the soup to the guests that was still bubbling.
• B. Still bubbling, the cook served the soup to the guests.
• C. The cook, serving the soup to the guests, was still bubbling.
• D. The cook served the soup, still bubbling, to the guests. (correct)

Explanation: A modifier should sit next to the word it describes. Option D tucks still bubbling directly against soup, so the reader knows the soup, not the people, was bubbling. Option A leaves the clause dangling after guests, implying the diners were bubbling, and options B and C both attach the modifier to the cook instead.

Question 19. Knowledge of Language medium

Which option fixes the dangling modifier in this sentence? "After reviewing the lab results, the decision was postponed."

• A. After reviewing the lab results, the decision was postponed by the team.
• B. After the team reviewed the lab results, the decision was postponed. (correct)
• C. After reviewing the lab results, postponing the decision was done.
• D. After reviewing the lab results, the decision postponed itself.

Explanation: A dangling modifier has no actor to modify; the phrase after reviewing never names who reviewed. Option B supplies the team as the subject of the introductory clause, so the sentence makes sense. Options A and C keep the dangling structure with different wording, and option D makes the decision absurdly perform the action on itself.

Question 20. Knowledge of Language medium

Which sentence is free of a double negative?

• A. The nurse could not find no spare blankets.
• B. There wasn't nothing wrong with the machine.
• C. The clinic had no record of the earlier visit. (correct)
• D. The clinic didn't have no record of the earlier visit.

Explanation: Two negatives in the same clause cancel each other and blur the meaning. Option C uses a single negative, no record, so the statement is clear. Option A pairs not with no, option B pairs wasn't with nothing, and option D pairs didn't with no, and each of those double negatives muddies what the sentence claims.

Question 21. Knowledge of Language hard

Which word best completes the sentence with the right connotation? "The reviewer was ___ of the study's claim that the supplement cured colds, so she demanded the raw data."

• A. gullible
• B. indifferent
• C. cynical
• D. skeptical (correct)

Explanation: Skeptical means doubting and demanding evidence, which fits a reviewer who asked for the raw data. Gullible means too ready to believe, the opposite of the reviewer's stance. Indifferent means unconcerned, which contradicts the demand for proof, and cynical suggests a bitter assumption of bad motives rather than a reasoned request for evidence.

Question 22. Vocabulary Acquisition easy

The root bio- means life. Which word's meaning best reflects that root?

• A. geology
• B. biography (correct)
• C. psychology
• D. astronomy

Explanation: The root bio- means life, and a biography is a written account of a person's life, so it is the word built on that root. Geology begins with geo, which means earth, psychology with psych, which means mind, and astronomy with astro, which means star, so none of the distractors carries the life meaning.

Question 23. Vocabulary Acquisition easy

The root phono- means sound. Which word's meaning best reflects that root?

• A. pharmacy
• B. photograph
• C. symphony (correct)
• D. philosophy

Explanation: The root phono- means sound, and a symphony is a piece of music in which many instruments sound together, combining sym, meaning together, with phon, meaning sound. Pharmacy builds on the Greek root for drug, photograph on photo, which means light, and philosophy on phil, meaning love, and soph, meaning wisdom.

Question 24. Vocabulary Acquisition easy

What does the prefix un- do to the meaning of a word like unbroken?

• A. It turns the meaning into the opposite, so unbroken means not broken. (correct)
• B. It adds the idea of doing the action again.
• C. It places the action before another action in time.
• D. It suggests the action was done incorrectly.

Explanation: The prefix un- conveys negation or reversal, so unbroken means not broken and undo means to reverse an action. Option B describes the prefix re-, which means again, option C describes the prefix pre-, which means before, and option D describes the prefix mis-, which means wrongly, so none of them explains what un- does.

Question 25. Vocabulary Acquisition medium

Which word means to think again because of its prefix?

• A. relive
• B. rethink (correct)
• C. interlock
• D. misplace

Explanation: The prefix re- means again, so rethink means to think again. Relive also begins with re-, but it means to live something over rather than to think about it again, interlock begins with inter-, which means between, and misplace with mis-, which means wrongly, so those words do not fit the question.

Question 26. Vocabulary Acquisition easy

The prefix pre- means before. Which word's meaning depends on that prefix?

• A. preheat (correct)
• B. reread
• C. deactivate
• D. misspell

Explanation: The prefix pre- means before, and preheat means to heat an oven beforehand. Reread is built on re-, which means again, deactivate on de-, which means reverse, and misspell on mis-, which means wrongly, so each distractor depends on a different prefix and does not mean before.

Question 27. Vocabulary Acquisition medium

What does the word misbehave mean, based on its parts?

• A. to behave before an audience
• B. to behave in the same way again
• C. to behave badly or wrongly (correct)
• D. to behave between two groups

Explanation: The prefix mis- adds the idea of badly or wrongly, so misbehave means to behave badly. Behaving before an audience would be a pre- word like preview, behaving again would use re-, and behaving between groups would use inter-, so the other options attach the wrong prefix meaning.

Question 28. Vocabulary Acquisition hard

What does the suffix -able do to the word read in readable?

• A. It forms a noun that names a person who reads.
• B. It forms an adjective meaning able to be read. (correct)
• C. It forms a verb meaning to read quickly.
• D. It forms an adverb meaning in a reading way.

Explanation: The suffix -able turns verbs into adjectives that mean capable of being acted on, so readable means able to be read. A person who reads is a reader, formed with -er, reading quickly would be a new verb idea, and adverbs of manner usually end in -ly, so the other options name the wrong suffix jobs.

Question 29. Vocabulary Acquisition hard

The suffix -tion turns verbs into nouns. Which word is a noun formed from the verb evaluate with that suffix?

• A. evaluative
• B. evaluate
• C. evaluator
• D. evaluation (correct)

Explanation: Adding -tion to the verb evaluate produces the noun evaluation, which names the act or result of evaluating. Evaluative is an adjective formed with -ive, evaluate is the base verb itself, and evaluator is a noun built with -or that names the person who evaluates rather than the process.

Question 30. Vocabulary Acquisition hard

Read the sentence. "After weeks of frugal shopping, Priya had saved enough for the trip." What does frugal mean in this sentence?

• A. careful with money (correct)
• B. wasteful and extravagant
• C. hesitant to travel
• D. very wealthy

Explanation: The outcome in the sentence, that Priya saved enough for the trip, is the context clue: spending behavior that produces savings must be careful with money, which is what frugal means. Wasteful and extravagant is the opposite of that behavior, and hesitant to travel and very wealthy are ideas the sentence never supports.