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✏️ 10 questions · answers and rationales · free

TEAS grammar and punctuation practice questions

Free TEAS English questions on commas, semicolons, apostrophes, fragments and run-ons, subject-verb agreement, pronouns and parallel structure, each with the rule that decides it.

Tap an answer to check it, or open "Show the answer and rationale" under each question.

Question 1 of 10 · Conventions of Standard English · Select all that apply

Select all of the following that are sentence fragments.

  1. Which was the reason for the delay.
  2. The delay was short.
  3. Leave the samples here.
  4. For patients with a fever or a rash.
  5. Since the lab closed early.
  6. The lab closed early.
Show the answer and rationale

Answer: A, D, E

"Since the lab closed early" and "Which was the reason for the delay" are dependent clauses, and "For patients with a fever or a rash" is a phrase with no subject or verb. "Leave the samples here" is a complete command with the understood subject "you," and the other two are complete statements.

📚 Learn it: Sentence fragments, run-ons and comma splices: how to fix them

Question 2 of 10 · Knowledge of Language · Select all that apply

Select all the transitions that signal a contrast between ideas.

  1. however
  2. furthermore
  3. on the other hand
  4. consequently
  5. nevertheless
Show the answer and rationale

Answer: A, C, E

However, on the other hand and nevertheless all signal that the next idea differs from or goes against the previous one. Furthermore signals addition, and consequently signals a result.

📚 Learn it: Topic sentences, transitions and paragraph order

Question 3 of 10 · Conventions of Standard English

Which revision corrects the comma splice? "The doctor was running late, the patients waited patiently."

  1. The doctor was running late, yet the patients waited patiently.
  2. The doctor was running late, however, the patients waited patiently.
  3. The doctor was running late, the patients, waited patiently.
  4. The doctor was running late the patients waited patiently.
Show the answer and rationale

Answer: A

Adding the coordinating conjunction "yet" after the comma correctly joins the two independent clauses. Removing the comma creates a fused run-on, another comma does not help, and "however" between commas still leaves a comma splice.

📚 Learn it: Sentence fragments, run-ons and comma splices: how to fix them

Question 4 of 10 · Knowledge of Language

A student writes a persuasive paragraph that gives three reasons to get a flu shot and saves the strongest reason for last. Which organization is the student using?

  1. Spatial order
  2. Chronological order
  3. Order of importance
  4. Compare and contrast
Show the answer and rationale

Answer: C

Arranging reasons from weaker to stronger is order of importance, a common choice for persuasive writing. Chronological order follows time, spatial order follows physical location, and compare and contrast examines likenesses and differences.

📚 Learn it: Topic sentences, transitions and paragraph order

Question 5 of 10 · Knowledge of Language

Which verb correctly completes the sentence? "Marisol has ___ three letters to the admissions office this year."

  1. writed
  2. writing
  3. wrote
  4. written
Show the answer and rationale

Answer: D

The helping verb has calls for the past participle, which for write is written. Wrote is the simple past and stands alone, writed is not a word, and writing would need a form of be.

📚 Learn it: Verb tense: stay consistent and know irregular forms

Question 6 of 10 · Knowledge of Language

Which verb correctly completes the sentence? "After the double shift, Paul ___ down on the couch and fell asleep."

  1. layed
  2. lied
  3. lay
  4. laid
Show the answer and rationale

Answer: C

Paul is reclining, so the verb is lie, and its simple past is lay. Laid is the past of lay (to put something down), which needs an object; lied means told a falsehood; and layed is a misspelling.

📚 Learn it: Verb tense: stay consistent and know irregular forms

Question 7 of 10 · Conventions of Standard English

Which sentence is punctuated correctly?

  1. Jordan please hand me, the chart.
  2. Jordan, please hand me, the chart.
  3. Jordan, please hand me the chart.
  4. Jordan please, hand me the chart.
Show the answer and rationale

Answer: C

A name used in direct address (speaking to Jordan) is set off with a comma. A comma after "please" or before "the chart" breaks up the command for no reason.

📚 Learn it: Comma rules: lists, compound sentences, introductions and extras

Question 8 of 10 · Knowledge of Language

Which message is most appropriate for a quick text to a close friend?

  1. I regret to inform you of my late arrival this evening.
  2. Kindly reserve a seat on my behalf pending my arrival.
  3. Please be advised that I will be delayed by ten minutes.
  4. Running 10 min late, can you save me a seat?
Show the answer and rationale

Answer: D

A text to a close friend calls for a short, relaxed message, so the casual request fits. The other choices use stiff business language ("please be advised," "I regret to inform you," "kindly reserve") that sounds odd to a friend.

📚 Learn it: Formal vs informal language: match the reader

Question 9 of 10 · Knowledge of Language

Which word correctly completes the sentence? "The applicant ___ the committee selected will start in August."

  1. whose
  2. whom
  3. who
  4. which
Show the answer and rationale

Answer: B

Inside the clause, the committee is the subject and the pronoun is the object: "the committee selected him." Him means whom. Who is subject case, which is for things, and whose shows possession.

📚 Learn it: Pronouns: agreement, case and clear reference

Question 10 of 10 · Knowledge of Language

Which opening sentence for a cover letter is both formal and concise?

  1. I am writing to apply for the patient care technician position.
  2. In regard to the matter of the technician position, I do hereby wish to apply.
  3. Hey, I'm applying for that patient care tech job you posted online.
  4. I am writing at this point in time for the purpose of applying for the technician job.
Show the answer and rationale

Answer: A

The correct sentence is formal and direct. "At this point in time for the purpose of" pads the sentence with extra words, "Hey" and "tech job" are too casual, and "in regard to the matter" and "do hereby" are stiff and wordy.

📚 Learn it: Formal vs informal language: match the reader

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