Language Proficiency
UPCAT English practice questions
45 free UPCAT English practice questions with the correct answer and a worked explanation for every item. Read through them or run the section as a shuffled quiz.
Instructions: Choose the option that best completes or corrects each item.
All 45 questions
Answers shown on each page
- 1Neither of the two proposals submitted by the committee ______ the mayor's approval.
Answer: B. has earnedGrammar - 2The number of applicants for the scholarship ______ risen sharply this year.
Answer: D. hasGrammar - 3The panel gave the research award to Miguel and ______.
Answer: D. meGrammar - 4Which revision corrects the dangling modifier in "Rushing to catch the bus, the umbrella was left on the bench"?
Answer: B. Rushing to catch the bus, she left the umbrella on the bench.Sentence Correction - 5The workshop trains students to write clearly, to argue logically, and ______.
Answer: B. to think creativelyGrammar - 6By the time the volunteers arrived, the floodwater ______ the entire ground floor.
Answer: D. had submergedGrammar - 7The archivist was meticulous in labeling every folder. As used here, "meticulous" most nearly means
Answer: C. painstakingVocabulary - 8Mobile phones have become ubiquitous even in remote barangays. As used here, "ubiquitous" most nearly means
Answer: A. present everywhereVocabulary - 9Critics argued that the official's apology was disingenuous. As used here, "disingenuous" most nearly means
Answer: B. insincereVocabulary - 10"It is almost midnight; let's call it a day." The underlined idiom means to
Answer: A. stop working for nowIdioms - 11Which sentence contains a comma splice?
Answer: C. The rain stopped, the game resumed.Punctuation - 12Which sentence uses the semicolon correctly?
Answer: A. The results were conclusive; therefore, the study was published.Punctuation - 13______ did the selection committee choose as chairperson?
Answer: D. WhomGrammar - 14______ students enrolled this term than last term.
Answer: D. FewerUsage - 15She ______ the folders on the table before leaving the office.
Answer: A. laidUsage - 16The new attendance policy will ______ every department in the university.
Answer: C. affectUsage - 17If I ______ in your position, I would ask for an extension.
Answer: C. wereGrammar - 18Of the three routes to the campus, this one is the ______.
Answer: B. shortestGrammar - 19Which version expresses the idea most concisely without losing meaning?
Answer: C. Because it rained, the class was canceled.Style - 20His conclusion is markedly different ______ the one presented in the earlier study.
Answer: A. fromUsage - 21This agreement is strictly between you and ______.
Answer: A. meGrammar - 22______ almost midnight, and the old generator has finally lost ______ power.
Answer: C. It's, itsUsage - 23He is one of the students who ______ selected for the exchange program.
Answer: D. wereGrammar - 24In which sentence does "only" limit the number of chapters read?
Answer: A. She read only three chapters.Sentence Correction - 25Which sentence is punctuated correctly?
Answer: A. My brother, who lives in Cebu, is a nurse.Punctuation - 26The professor gave only a cursory glance at the draft before returning it. As used here, "cursory" most nearly means
Answer: A. hasty and superficialVocabulary - 27The reviewer remained skeptical even after seeing the data. As used here, "skeptical" most nearly means
Answer: B. doubtfulVocabulary - 28Her explanation was succinct, and the audience grasped it at once. As used here, "succinct" most nearly means
Answer: C. brief and clearVocabulary - 29"After missing the deadline, the intern was in hot water with his supervisor." The underlined idiom means he was
Answer: D. in troubleIdioms - 30"Take his estimate with a grain of salt." The underlined idiom advises you to
Answer: D. treat it with some doubtIdioms - 31Mathematics ______ the subject she enjoys most.
Answer: B. isGrammar - 32Each of the delegates ______ given a copy of the resolution.
Answer: B. wasGrammar - 33All applicants must submit ______ requirements before the posted deadline.
Answer: C. theirGrammar - 34She finished the report last night and ______ it to the dean this morning.
Answer: D. submittedGrammar - 35The committee has ______ its recommendations in a two-page memo.
Answer: B. writtenGrammar - 36The new assistant proved fully capable ______ handling the account on her own.
Answer: C. ofUsage - 37The contractor was accused ______ negligence after the inspection.
Answer: A. ofUsage - 38Which word is misspelled?
Answer: C. definatelySpelling - 39Which word is spelled correctly?
Answer: A. necessarySpelling - 40Although the evidence was largely ______, the jury reached a verdict within an hour.
Answer: C. circumstantialSentence Completion - 41The mayor's closing speech was so ______ that even his longtime critics applauded.
Answer: D. compellingSentence Completion - 42The budget was approved without amendment; ______, construction began the following week.
Answer: B. consequentlySentence Completion - 43She reviewed her notes every night; ______, she failed to pass the licensure exam.
Answer: D. nonethelessSentence Completion - 44Which sentence is the correct passive form of "The research team completed the survey in March"?
Answer: B. The survey was completed by the research team in March.Sentence Correction - 45Which phrase is redundant?
Answer: A. advance planningStyle