TABE Language Practice Test: Level E

This TABE Language practice test covers Level E. This is a good place to begin your test preparation since Level E is the easiest. It covers vocabulary and the conventions of standard English. Start your test prep now with these free TABE Language practice questions!

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Question 1

Read the sentence.

Angel _______ up this morning when she heard the sound of crackling bacon.

Which word correctly completes the sentence?

A
awoken
B
waken
C
woke
D
awake
Question 1 Explanation: 
Answer choice (C) is correct because the sentence requires a verb in the past tense. Answer choice (A) is incorrect because it would only work when a past perfect verb was needed. Answer choice (B) is incorrect because it is a rarely used present form of the verb. Answer choice (D) is incorrect because it is actually a noun, describing a state of being.
Question 2

Read the sentence.

Richard and Shyanne ______ both taking the test after school tomorrow.

Which word correctly completes the sentence?

A
am
B
was
C
is
D
are
Question 2 Explanation: 
Answer choice (D) is correct because it uses both the plural and present form of the verb “to be.” Answer choice (A) is incorrect because “am” only works with the personal pronoun “I,” while answer choice (B) is past tense. Answer choice (C) is incorrect because there are two people taking the test, not one.
Question 3

Read the sentence.

The housing market is changing ________ many younger people aren’t making enough money to afford to buy a house.

Which word correctly completes the sentence?

A
because
B
even though
C
in fact
D
as a result
Question 3 Explanation: 
Answer choice (A) is correct because the sentence represents a cause and effect, and needs a transition word that reflects that. The other answer choices fail to express a cause and effect in the correct order. Answer choice (D) might be tempting, but it would only work if the two phrases were flipped.
Question 4

Mariana is writing a paragraph about how to study for a big test. This is the paragraph so far. Read it and answer questions 4-6.

Studying for a big test doesn’t have to be incredibly hard. To make it easier, though, you have to start studying early. ____1____, you will have too much to study in a short amount of time and you will get overwhelmed. As soon as you find out that you have a big test, start a study schedule leading up to it. First, figure out how long you have until the day of the test. ___2____, schedule out the information you need to know so that you are studying a little bit each day.
 

Mariana needs to add some words to link ideas and make the paragraph better.

Which word would best fit in blank 1?

A
Unless
B
Additionally
C
Otherwise
D
However
Question 4 Explanation: 
Answer choice (C) is correct because it’s the only answer that accurately links these two ideas. Mariana wants to choose a word that links her bit of advice with what happens if someone doesn’t take it. Answer choice (A) is related, but would only really work at the beginning of a sentence that combines the two ideas (“Unless you start studying early, you will get overwhelmed”). Answer choice (B) would be a good link if the next idea was another bit of advice. Answer choice (D) would be correct if the next idea contradicted the first idea.
Question 5

Mariana is writing a paragraph about how to study for a big test. This is the paragraph so far. Read it and answer questions 4-6.

Studying for a big test doesn’t have to be incredibly hard. To make it easier, though, you have to start studying early. ____1____, you will have too much to study in a short amount of time and you will get overwhelmed. As soon as you find out that you have a big test, start a study schedule leading up to it. First, figure out how long you have until the day of the test. ___2____, schedule out the information you need to know so that you are studying a little bit each day.
 

Which word would best fit in blank 2?

A
Then
B
But
C
First
D
Also
Question 5 Explanation: 
Answer choice (A) is correct because it links two steps in a process. Answer choice (D) might be tempting, but the second idea is a new step, so “Also” doesn’t really fit. Answer choice (B) would only work if the two ideas contradicted each other, and answer choice (C) is incorrect because the first step has already been introduced.
Question 6

Mariana is writing a paragraph about how to study for a big test. This is the paragraph so far. Read it and answer questions 4-6.

Studying for a big test doesn’t have to be incredibly hard. To make it easier, though, you have to start studying early. ____1____, you will have too much to study in a short amount of time and you will get overwhelmed. As soon as you find out that you have a big test, start a study schedule leading up to it. First, figure out how long you have until the day of the test. ___2____, schedule out the information you need to know so that you are studying a little bit each day.
 

The paragraph needs a conclusion. Which sentence below would best fit as a conclusion to this paragraph?

A
If you study everything the night before the test, it will be easier to remember.
B
If you follow your schedule and study a little bit every day, you’ll be ready for the test.
C
After the test is over, make sure to review your schedule so that you can retain the information.
D
Make before you make your study schedule, double-check that you have considered everything that will be on the test.
Question 6 Explanation: 
Answer choice (B) is correct because it is the only sentence that provides the next step in the process and leads directly to test day. Answer choice (C) might be tempting because it’s an effective suggestion, but it skips the moment the entire paragraph has been leading up to: test day. Answer choice (A) is incorrect because it goes against the point of the paragraph, and answer choice (D) would work better in the beginning of the paragraph.
Question 7

Read the sentence.

There was a great moment during ______ show.

Which word correctly completes the sentence?

A
yesterday's
B
yesterdays
C
yesterdayes
D
yesterdaye’s
Question 7 Explanation: 
Answer choice (A) is correct because the word “yesterday” needs to be possessive since it is describing which show had a great moment. Answer choice (B) doesn’t work because it is just the plural of yesterday, and answer choices (C) and (D) are spelled incorrectly.
Question 8

Which sentence is written correctly?

A
The boy forgot to feed his fish, so the fish was very hunger for the rest of the day.
B
Shannon ran real hard to try to win the race.
C
The group liked the play and thought it was excited.
D
The weather became nice later in the day.
Question 8 Explanation: 
Answer choice (D) is correct because it does not have any mistakes in usage. Answer choice (A) uses “hunger” when it should use “hungry,” answer choice (B) uses “real” when it should use “really,” and answer choice (C) uses “excited” when it should use “exciting.”
Question 9

Which of the following expresses an opinion?

A
The English teacher gave the students homework questions that would not be on the test.
B
Doing homework for English class is not fun.
C
The English teacher wants students to get better by doing their homework.
D
English homework often requires students to think critically.
Question 9 Explanation: 
Answer choice (B) is correct because whether something is fun or not is subjective, and can differ from student-to-student. Each of the other answer choices expresses something that is more objective and factual.
Question 10

Which of the following is spelled correctly?

A
metalist
B
transfering
C
glacier
D
asma
Question 10 Explanation: 
Answer choice (C) is correct. Answer choice (A) should be spelled “medalist,” answer choice (B) should be spelled “transferring,” and answer choice (D) should be spelled “asthma.”
Question 11

Read the sentence.

Bella found tonight’s math homework ____.

Which word correctly completes the sentence?

A
confused
B
confusing
C
confusion
D
confusement
Question 11 Explanation: 
Answer choice (B) is correct because the word in the blank describes a noun, so it needs to be an adjective. "Confusion" is not an adjective and "confusement" is not a word. Answer (A) is also incorrect because the math homework cannot itself be confused; the person doing the homework, Bella, would be confused.
Question 12

Which sentence is written correctly?

A
Natalie was feeling better after a bout with pneumonia.
B
Natalie was feeling better after about with pneumonia.
C
Natalie was feeling better after a bount with pneumonia.
D
Natalie was feeling better after a bunch of pneumonia.
Question 12 Explanation: 
The correct answer is (A). A "bout" is a period or spell of something, like an illness. "About" is an entirely different word, and "bount" is not a word. "A bunch of pneumonia" does not make sense because pneumonia is a disease, not an item that you can have more than one of.
Question 13

Which of the following is spelled correctly?

A
Mispell
B
Greatful
C
Cologne
D
Tommorrow
Question 13 Explanation: 
Answer (C) is correct. The other words should be spelled as follows:
Misspell
Grateful
Tomorrow
Question 14

Read the sentence.

Joshua was unsure ____ or not he should ____ a sweater.

Which word would best fit in the first blank?

A
Weather
B
Whether
C
Where
D
Wear
Question 14 Explanation: 
The correct answer is (B). Joshua was deciding between two options, so "whether" fits best. "Weather" refers to the conditions outside. Answers C and D don't make sense in this blank.
Question 15

Read the sentence.

Joshua was unsure ____ or not he should ____ a sweater.

Which word would best fit in the second blank?

A
Weather
B
Whether
C
Where
D
Wear
Question 15 Explanation: 
The correct answer is (D). "Wear" refers to clothing while "where" is used to talk about a location. Answers (A) and (B) do not make sense in this blank.
Question 16

Which of the following expresses an opinion?

A
The sun rises in the east and sets in the west.
B
Dogs need anywhere from 9 to 14 hours of sleep per day.
C
Fall is the best season to go camping.
D
There are thousands of varieties of apples that are grown.
Question 16 Explanation: 
The correct answer is (C). All other answer options are facts that cannot be disputed, but individuals can feel differently about when it is best to go camping.
Question 17

Read the sentence.

Last Saturday, Andy ___ too many things to do and not enough time.

Which word correctly completes the sentence?

A
has
B
had
C
is having
D
has had
Question 17 Explanation: 
Answer (B) is correct because the beginning of the sentence establishes that we need a past tense verb. "Has" and "is having" are present tense and would not work in the sentence. "Has had" is a past progressive construction, meaning it should be used for continual states and activities, not a specific point in time like last Saturday.
Question 18

Cameron is writing a review of the book The Catcher in the Rye. This is his first paragraph. Read it and answer questions 18-20.

The book had an interesting, conversational style, but I didn’t like the narrator. He always complained about everything, which was __1__ and unrelatable. It was hard to focus on the most compelling hardships and character relationships when the whole story was told __2__ such a negative outlook.
 

Cameron realized he doesn’t have a good introductory sentence. Which of the following would work best?

A
The Catcher in the Rye is a classic novel with both strengths and weaknesses in its storytelling approach.
B
The Catcher in the Rye is some people’s favorite book, but it is not mine.
C
The classic novel The Catcher in the Rye is not written very well.
D
When I read The Catcher in the Rye, I was always wondering when the main character would take responsibility for his own actions.
Question 18 Explanation: 
Answer (A) is correct because it best introduces the topic covered in the paragraph. Cameron touches on positives and negatives associated with the way the novel is written, and the introduction should reflect that. Essays are also formal pieces of writing that should not often employ casual tones or first-person pronouns like "I."
Question 19

Cameron is writing a review of the book The Catcher in the Rye. This is his first paragraph. Read it and answer questions 18-20.

The book had an interesting, conversational style, but I didn’t like the narrator. He always complained about everything, which was __1__ and unrelatable. It was hard to focus on the most compelling hardships and character relationships when the whole story was told __2__ such a negative outlook.
 

Which word would best fit in blank 1?

A
fascinating
B
obnoxious
C
complaining
D
unlikely
Question 19 Explanation: 
Answer (B) is correct. Using context clues, we can determine that Cameron felt negatively about the narrator, so we need a negative word. "Fascinating" is a positive word. To describe the narrator's complaints as "complaining" would be redundant and not make sense. "Unlikely" also does not make sense when referring to how the narrator's complaints made the reader feel.
Question 20

Cameron is writing a review of the book The Catcher in the Rye. This is his first paragraph. Read it and answer questions 18-20.

The book had an interesting, conversational style, but I didn’t like the narrator. He always complained about everything, which was __1__ and unrelatable. It was hard to focus on the most compelling hardships and character relationships when the whole story was told __2__ such a negative outlook.
 

Which preposition would best fit in blank 2?

A
of
B
upon
C
throughout
D
with
Question 20 Explanation: 
Answer (D) is correct because the narrator is telling the story using a negative outlook, so "with" works best in the sentence. The other prepositions do not work in this context.
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