UPCAT Language Proficiency Reviewer 2026
12 Language Proficiency practice questions for the University of the Philippines College Admission Test, each with the correct answer and an explanation of why it's right.
Language Proficiency Practice Questions with Answers
- 1medium
While Anna was baking cookies, Arthur [A] maked [B] some refreshments. [C] No Error [D]
- A.While Anna was baking cookies,
- B.maked
- C.some refreshments.
- D.No Error
Show answer & explanation
Answer: C. some refreshments.
The past tense of "make" is "made," not "maked."
- 2medium
Between [A] the three of us, [B] I think I am the fastest learner. [C] No Error [D]
- A.Between
- B.the three of us,
- C.I think I am the fastest learner.
- D.No Error
Show answer & explanation
Answer: A. Between
"Between" is used for exactly two items. For three or more, use "Among."
- 3medium
In [A] November 29, 1890, [B] the Imperial Japanese Diet [C] convened for the first time. No Error [D]
- A.In
- B.November 29, 1890,
- C.the Imperial Japanese Diet
- D.No Error
Show answer & explanation
Answer: A. In
Use "On" before a specific date (On November 29, 1890), not "In."
- 4medium
The financial expert [A] which [B] flew in to advise the president, [C] came from London. No Error [D]
- A.The financial expert
- B.which
- C.flew in to advise the president,
- D.No Error
Show answer & explanation
Answer: B. which
"Which" refers to things; use "who" when referring to a person ("the financial expert who flew in").
- 5medium
In 2010, Harvard University had an acceptance rate of 6.9%, [A] and [B] will have rejected [C] students with perfect SAT scores. No Error [D]
- A.In 2010, Harvard University had an acceptance rate of 6.9%,
- B.and
- C.will have rejected
- D.No Error
Show answer & explanation
Answer: B. and
"Will have" is future perfect. Since 2010 is a past year, "would have" is the correct choice.
- 6medium
Leo tried to acquire as [A] many [B] of the valuable and groundbreaking knowledge [C] as he could from the lecture. No Error [D]
- A.as
- B.many
- C.of the valuable and groundbreaking knowledge
- D.No Error
Show answer & explanation
Answer: A. as
"Knowledge" is an uncountable noun, so "much" should be used instead of "many."
- 7medium
These days, [A] kids under 12 years of age [B] prefer cellular phones [C] more than toys. No Error [D]
- A.These days,
- B.kids under 12 years of age
- C.prefer cellular phones
- D.No Error
Show answer & explanation
Answer: C. prefer cellular phones
"Prefer" is followed by "to" when comparing two things. "More than" is redundant after "prefer."
- 8medium
The Continental Congress [A] is drafting [B] a constitution for the delegates [C] they [D] will address in June. No Error
- A.The Continental Congress
- B.is drafting
- C.a constitution for the delegates
- D.they
Show answer & explanation
Answer: C. a constitution for the delegates
"The Continental Congress" is a singular collective entity. Use "it" not "they" in formal writing.
- 9medium
Xabi Alonso's shot was wide off the mark [A] and [B] the goalkeeper Casi [C] did not have to make a save. [D] No Error
- A.and
- B.the goalkeeper Casi
- C.did not have to make a save.
- D.No Error
Show answer & explanation
Answer: A. and
The correct idiom is "wide of the mark" (not "off the mark") meaning the shot missed.
- 10medium
The proposal made by the British Labour Party [A] was in opposition [B] to privatization [C] of state holdings. No Error [D]
- A.The proposal made by the British Labour Party
- B.was in opposition
- C.to privatization
- D.No Error
Show answer & explanation
Answer: B. was in opposition
Missing article "the" before "privatization" in the sentence.
- 11medium
Despite of [A] the heavy rain, [B] the outdoor event continued as planned, [C] and the audience seemed quite pleased with the performances. No Error [D]
- A.Despite of
- B.the heavy rain,
- C.the outdoor event continued as planned,
- D.No Error
Show answer & explanation
Answer: A. Despite of
"Despite" does not take "of." Correct usage: "Despite the heavy rain" or "In spite of the heavy rain."
- 12medium
Neither the teacher [A] nor the students [B] was [C] aware of the schedule, which had been implemented overnight. No Error [D]
- A.Neither the teacher
- B.nor the students
- C.was
- D.No Error
Show answer & explanation
Answer: B. nor the students
With "neither...nor," the verb agrees with the closest subject. "Students" is plural → "were."
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