UPCAT Language Proficiency Reviewer
9 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: B. maked
"Maked" is not a word: the past tense of "make" is "made". The sentence should read "…Arthur made some refreshments."
- 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: C. will have rejected
The sentence is about 2010, so the verb must be in the past tense: "…and rejected students with perfect SAT scores." "Will have rejected" (future perfect) doesn't fit a past event.
- 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: B. many
"Knowledge" is an uncountable noun, so it takes "much", not "many": "Leo tried to acquire as much of the valuable and groundbreaking knowledge as he could."
- 7medium
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: D. they
"The Continental Congress" is a single body and the sentence treats it as singular ("is drafting"), so the pronoun that refers back to it should be "it", not "they".
- 8medium
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."
- 9medium
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: C. was
With "neither … nor", the verb agrees with the subject nearer to it. The nearer subject is "the students" (plural), so the verb should be "were", not "was".
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