- ACCUPLACER Sentence Skills – What to Expect
- Why Prepare for the ACCUPLACER Sentence Skills Test?
- ACCUPLACER Sentence Skills Practice Tips
- ACCUPLACER Sentence Skills Practice Test Questions
ACCUPLACER Sentence Skills – What to Expect
The Sentence Skills section of the ACCUPLACER English Test consists of 20 questions that measure your understanding of English grammar and correct sentence structure. There are two types of questions in the ACCUPLACER Sentence Skills test. The first type introduces sentence correction questions; students are asked to choose the most appropriate word or phrase to substitute for the underlined portion of the sentence. The second type consists of construction shift questions; students are asked to rewrite a sentence according to the criteria shown while maintaining the same meaning as the original sentence. These questions assess your level in three main skills:
- Identifying complete and grammatically correct sentences
- Understanding coordination and subordination
- Recognizing errors and illogical combinations
Our ACCUPLACER English Practice Pack contains ACCUPLACER practice tests based solely on the Sentence Skills section, making it easier for you to zero-in on each of the three skills, at a pace that is most comfortable for you.
Why Prepare for the ACCUPLACER Sentence Skills Test?
The ability to correctly express and comprehend grammatical concepts is highly important for studies at any academic establishment. Especially in English courses, students are assessed based on how well they express themselves. In addition, an understanding of sentence structure allows you to express your points and arguments with clarity.
In many colleges across the United States, the ACCUPLACER Test must be taken by all students. Many courses are tied with prerequisites requiring proof of basic, or advanced, sentence skills, depending on the level of instruction.
A good grade on the ACCUPLACER Sentence Skills Test can mean the difference between having to take these prerequisites or not. Ultimately, taking prerequisites can mean needing to pay for more textbooks, and spending your university semesters on courses that do not directly count towards your degree. All this can be avoided by achieving a good grade on the ACCUPLACER Test.
ACCUPLACER Sentence Skills Practice Tips
If you are feeling concerned about the Sentence Skills section, don’t worry, you are not alone! There is a solution to everything, and the solution to this is to practice, practice, practice. Below are some tips to help you along:
- Read. Reading not only helps you to prepare for the ACCUPLACER Reading Comprehension section—it also helps you intrinsically absorb information regarding sentence structure and clarity.
- Practice your ACCUPLACER Sentence Skills with ACCUPLACER practice tests. Believe it or not, many people shy away from this method of studying. However, scientific research shows that the best way to absorb relevant information is through self-testing. TestPrep-Online’s ACCUPLACER practice tests include Sentence Skills questions in every format to be expected.
- Stay SENtered. Sleep, Exercise, and Nutrition are all imperative to making sure you get the best out of your study sessions. A brisk walk, a healthy snack, and eight hours of sleep have been shown to effectively boost both memory and productivity.
- Prioritize your studying material. Study what is most difficult for you first, then move on to the easier stuff. Our ACCUPLACER English practice pack comes with three full-length English practice tests that cover every type of question that appears on the ACCUPLACER English Test so that you can figure out what is most challenging for you, and overcome it.
ACCUPLACER Sentence Skills Practice Test Questions
Replacement Question
In the first question, select the best replacement for the underlined part of the sentence. Answer (A) is the same as the original sentence. If you think the original sentence is best, choose answer (A).
A. riding, the rider
B. riding; the rider
C. riding, being that the rider
D. riding and the rider
Answer & Explanation
The correct answer is (B).
The original sentence has a comma splice error as two independent clauses are incorrectly joined by a comma, rather than a semicolon or a conjunction. Answer (C) illogically uses the unconjugated verb “being,” which suggests that because the rider must possess certain skills, horseback riding without a saddle is called bareback riding. Answer (D) is missing a comma before the coordinating conjunction “and.” Answer (B) is correct because it corrects the error of the original sentence, using a semi-colon instead of a comma.
Rewrite Question
The next question presents a sentence along with the beginning of a rewrite of that sentence. Choose the answer which best continues the rewrite while maintaining the same meaning as the original sentence.
Rewrite, beginning with
Round hair follicles produce straight hair,
The next words will be
A. because oval follicles produce curly hair.
B. but oval follicles produce curly hair.
C. nevertheless oval follicles produce curly hair.
D. even though oval follicles produce curly hair.
Answer & Explanation
Answer (A)uses the conjunction “because”, which illogically states cause between the two clauses. Answer (C) incorrectly uses the conjunction “nevertheless” after a comma, rather than after a period or a semi-colon. The subordinating conjunction “even though” in answer (D) incorrectly follows the comma that appears at the end of the first clause. Answer (B) correctly uses the coordinating conjunction "but" after a comma.
The new sentence should read: Round hair follicles produce straight hair, but oval follicles produce curly hair.
Prepare for the ACCUPLACER Test with TestPrep-Online!
TestPrep-Online’s ACCUPLACER English Pack can help you achieve the grade you deserve! With hundreds of practice questions and explanations, our packs have what you need to succeed. Choose your practice pack today!
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