Bunker Hill Community College

ESL Sample Test Questions

LANGUAGE USE
There will be two different kinds of questions in this test.

I. The sentence below has a blank space. There are four words or phrases under the sentence. Choose the word or phrase that makes a grammatically correct sentence.

1. They ________the newspaper every day.

a.) reads
b.) is reading
c.) read
d.) does read

Correct Answer

II. Choose the answer that best combines the two sentences. 2. I sang in the choir. I enjoyed it.
a.) In the choir singing, I enjoyed.
b.) In the choir to sing, I enjoyed.
c.) I enjoyed to sing in the choir.
d.) I enjoyed singing in the choir.

Correct Answer

READING SKILLS
Read the passage and choose the best answer to the question. Some passages have one question and some have two.

My cousin lived in the city from 1984 to 1989. 1. When did my cousin live in the city?
a.) After 1989.
b.) Before 1984.
c.) Between 1984 and 1989.
d.) Neither in 1984 nor in 1989.

Correct Answer

After oxygen, silicon is the most common chemical element found in combination in the rocks that make up the Earth’s crust. Very few people, however, have ever seen pure silicon. That is true not because silicon is invisible, but because it is usually found in combination with other elements.

2. What does the passage say about pure silicon?
a.) It is useful.
b.) It is rarely seen.
c.) It is like oxygen.
d.) It is invisible.

Correct Answer

3. What does the first sentence tell you about oxygen?
a.) It combines with silicon.
b.) It comes from silicon.
c.) It is the most common element in rocks.
d.) It is important for life on earth.

Correct Answer

The Julian calendar was originally Egyptian. It was adopted by Julius Caesar in 45 B.C. and named after him. This calendar was used unchanged in Europe until the end of the sixteenth century.
4. The Julian calendar was
a.) borrowed.
b.) unsuccessful.
c.) invented by Julius Caesar.
d.) very modern.

Correct Answer

Establishing close friendships involves taking some emotional risks. One must be willing to reveal deep feelings, concerns, and beliefs. One must also be willing to listen to the private thoughts, feelings, and needs of one’s friends.
5. According to the passage, in order to establish friendship, one must be
a.) uncritical of others.
b.) willing to keep secrets.
c.) reserved and cautious.
d.) open and sympathetic.

Correct Answer

SENTENCE MEANING
There will be two different kinds of questions in this test.

I. Choose the word or phrase that makes the sentence meaningful and correct.

1. Mr. Swoboda grows roses, tomatoes, and carrots. That is why his friends say that he is a good ____________.
a.) gardener
b.) builder
c.) painter
d.) florist

Correct Answer

II. Choose the answer that means the same.

2. The teacher called on Joe in class.
a.) Shouted to Joe
b.) Asked Joe a question
c.) Telephoned Joe
d.) Visited Joe

Correct Answer