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Name:
Date:
Test of English as a Foreign
Language
Freshmen Course

Complete four of the five tasks in this test. Each task carries 10
marks. Your final grade is the average of the four tasks which you
choose to complete.

I. Syntactic units: phrases, clauses,

sentences
Identify the underlined phrases in the following
excerpts. Mark each phrase accordingly: (1) verb
phrase/extended verb phrase (2) noun phrase, (3)
adjective phrase, ( 4 ) adverb p h r a s e , o r ( 5 )
v e r b a l phrase.

Research published in the US Journal Science (3) says the warming is seen across the whole
of the continent and much of the Southern Ocean.
a) The study questions the reliability of current climate models that fail to simulate
the temperature rise.
b) The German-born Pope had personally insisted on visiting the camps where more
than a million people, mostly Jews, were killed in World War II.
c) He then left the camp to visit the nearby Centre of Dialogue and Prayer, where he was
greeted by nuns from a nearby convent.
d) If the only cases we brought to court were racing certainties, we would have a lot of
villains walking the streets that had been let off without ever getting to court.
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Identify the underlined clauses in the following

excerpt. Mark each clause with (1), (2), or (3) .

1- noun clause, 2 . adjective clause, 3 . adverbial

clause

a) President Obama said (1)that too much testing makes education boring, and (1) that
performance should be measured in more ways than test scores.

b) "In other words it's got very much worse in the last three years and the
question we have to ask therefore is has the Home Office been inappropriately
transferring prisoners to open prisons such as this because of the overcrowding
problem?" he told BBC Radio 4's Today programme.

c) "What is happening is clearly unacceptable.”

d) Speaking from Baghdad, Tony Blair’s special envoy to Iraq added speculation
about his departure from Downing Street had given people abroad the wrong
idea .

e) His decision came shortly after allegations about his private life were
published by the paper.

f) Asked what proportion of Britain's energy needs should be supplied by nuclear

power , Sir David said: "My favored figure is around 3 0%.”

g) The 861 graduates must fight a war against terror that knew no boundaries, the
president told them.

Identify the sentences in the following text. Mark each

sentence with (1), (2), (3), or (4).

(1) Simple - one subject group and one predicate group only;
(2) Compound – coordinated clauses only ,
(3) Complex - one main clause and one or more subordinate
clauses,
(4) Compound-complex: a coordinated string of clauses and
their subordinate(s).

Bush invokes resolve of Cold War (1)

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President George W Bush has likened the US. War on Terror to the
Cold War fight against communism after World War II, at a military
graduation parade. (1)

1. Speaking to cadets at West Point military academy i n New York State, Mr. Bush
said the US would not rest until the threat of terror had been removed.
2. The 861 new graduates must fight a war against terror that knew no
boundaries, the president told them.
3. "The war began on my watch but it’s going to end on your watch," he said.
4. In a wide-ranging speech, Mr. Bush talked of his aim of spreading peace
through the Middle East, saying repression there w as creating conditions for global
terrorism.
5. "We’re still in the early stages of this struggle for freedom and, like those first
years of the Cold War, we've seen setbacks and challenges and days that have tested
A merica’s resolve, yet we’ve also seen days of victory and hope,” he said.
6. He commended former President Harry Truman, whose administration lacked
popularity but who he said had laid the groundwork of success against communism.
7. Mr. Bush drew parallels between Mr. Truman's Cold War efforts and his own
in fighting global terrorism.
8. The cadets were the first to arrive at the academy after the 11 Septembe r 2001
attacks on the US.
9. The president noted that more than 50 of their fellow cadets had already s e e n
combat and 34 former cadets had died in the “war on terror".
10. "We will honor the memory of those brave souls. We will finish the task for
which they gave their lives. We will complete the mission," he said.

Apply sentence connectors/transitions words to

join the clauses below so as to build three
complex sentences; then build a text by
choosing an appropriate order for your three
sentences:

• We think a b o u t language i n general in a certain way.

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• This chapter has ostensibly been about regional variation.

• A decade of research in sociolinguistics has now made this clear
• Only part of the world’s English language v a r i a t i o n can be accounte d for purely i n
geographic terms.
• This chapter has repeatedly had to deal with social issues.
• Any social focus on regional v a r i e t i e s of English makes us re-examine this way
of thinking.

Take out or underline the words, phrase or clause

that makes the following sentences examples of
verbosity .

• It was decided to discontinue the practice of cleaning the slide

assembly with methanol.
• This represents a breakthrough in IC technology.
• The device is capable of detecting very low voltage.

What should the author have written instead of the

sentence below to make it less wordy and
more comprehensible?

"High-quality learning environments are a necessary precondition for

facilitation and enhancement of the ongoing learning process."

Identify the anaphoric or t h e cataphoric reference

of the words underlined in the sentences below.
Underline the referenced word(s) or clause(s)
and mark them with (A) or (C).

The fast train to London leaves at 7.57. Two hours later, British Rail
permitting, you are in London.
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It is a truth universally acknowledged that a single man in possession

of a good fortune must be in want of a wife.

Use TWO of the following nouns in sentences of your

own so as to refer backward to an event, an
idea, an attitude, a written text:
problem, allegation, misinterpretation, paragraph, pledge

An essay that is 6,000 words or longer should

include all of the following sections (appendix is
always optional, however). List its sections:

10. The following instructions have been selected at

random. Re-arrange them in the correct order
assigning each of them as part of:

1. macro level edits; 2) middle level edits; 3)

micro level edits

• Does each paragraph have a topic sentence and does that

sentence somehow re l a t e to the hypothesis?
• Have you used inclusive language?
• Have you avoided passive language w h e r e possible?
• Do the paragraphs flow logically?
• Does the overall essay have a logical flow?
• Individual word checks
• Individual sentence construction and grammar checks
• Is the paper written mostly i n third person?
• Have you answered the question?
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II. Text types

1. Informative text provides the reader with clear

facts.
The reader is informed that The Black Plague reached
which of the UK's main countries first?
The Black Plague
In 1348, the bubonic plague arrived in Britain through the southern coast ports. The plague
reached London by September 1348 and Scotland, Wales and Ireland in the winter of 1349.
Estimates place the total dead as somewhere between a tenth and a third o f the population
(for the period 1348-50 )
a) Wales b) Scotland c) Ireland d) England

2. Informative text can give the reader details of

events that have happened.
This example informs the reader that the king that led
the army in battle at Falkirk in 1298 was who?

Wallace was spectacularly dressed against a better equipped and better trained English army
at the Battle of Sterling Bridge (11 September 1297) but was ultimately defeated by an army
led by Edward I in person at Falkirk (22 July 1298). Wallace remained politically active in
guerrilla warfare for a further seven years but was ultimately betrayed to the English.
a) Edward I b) Edward II c) Wallace d) King John

3. Which of the following is not an example of

informative text?
a) a church newsletter
b) a recipe book
c) a doctor's leaflet about services provided
d) an obituary in a local newspaper

4. Descriptive text often uses adjectives and

comparisons to help the reader picture things more
clearly. What does the following passage describe?

Will caught sight of the pair of them in a mirror, and was shocked to see that they
could easily pass for father and son; he had somehow imagined himself as Marcus' elder
brother, but the reflection threw age and youth into sharp relief- Will's stubble and crow’s-
feet versus Marcus's smooth cheeks and gleaming white teeth. And the hair... Will prided
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himself on having avoided even the tiniest of bald patches, but he still had less on top than
Marcus, almost as if life had worn some of it away.
a) That shop mirrors make people look older than they are;
b) That Will had forgotten to shave that morning;
c) The hair piece Marcus was wearing;
d) Will realizing that he was ageing when compared to Marcus;

5. What descriptive comparison does the piece of

text make to Uma as she struggled for breath?

Uma knelt there, in the shallows, water pouring from her mouth and hair. She rose,
gasping for breath, struggling, flailing her arms and choking like a big, wounded water
bird.
a) Uma was like someone flailing her arms.
b) Uma was like a big wounded w a t e r bird
c) Uma was like the water which was pouring from her
d) Uma was like something rising from the waters.

6. Instructive text is normally written as though the reader is being spoken

to.

a) true b) false

7. The following passage is an example of instructive

text.

London Borough of Welard

Register of Electors 2002
Every British, Irish or Commonwealth citizen living in Great Britain on the 12th of
November 2001 is eligible to vote in this country's elections. European Union citizens
can vote in local and European Parliamentary elections.

a) true b) false

8. Which of the following is persuasive text, as taken

from a letter appealing against a parking fine?

a) I was given a parking ticket for parking in a suspended bay/space

b) There were no warning signs or notices to say the parking area was to be
suspended the next day.
c) As there had been no previous warning, I would appreciate being let off this fine.
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d) I have an up to date resident's parking permit

9. What type of text is used for the following travel

directions?

Wedding Directions
How to get to Anne Marie and John's wedding f rom the South via the M3

Leave the M3 Junction 12 (B3446) sign posted Winchester. Go straight over 1st
roundabout. Take 2nd exit of 2nd roundabout into Rabbit Farm Road. Continue
straight across next roundabout and take 2nd exit at next roundabout.

a) persuasive b) instructive c) informative d) descriptive

10. Persuasive texts are often written in a special way

to bring the text to your attention. Which of the
following methods is not used in the example below?

CLEAR YOUR DEBTS FAST!

Do you owe more money than you are making?
Do you have lots of different debts?
Why not make your life easier and combine all of your debts into one easy affordable
monthly payment. For under £100 a month you could borrow £5 000 immediately with
no questions asked.

a) capital letters; b) exclamation marks; c) humor d) rhetorical questions

11. What is the purpose of the following passage of

text?

ACCIDENT:
Treatment aims
1. Control bleeding
2. Minimize shock for casualty
3. Prevent infection for casualty and between yourself and the casualty
4. Arrange for casualty to go to the hospital if necessary
a) To inform the reader that bleeding needs to be controlled.
b) To describe the scene of the accident.
c) To persuade the reader to attend a First Aid course.
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d) To instruct the reader what to do if they come across an

accident.

12. What is the purpose of the text below?

Bert Baxter was lying in a filthy-looking bed smoking a cigarette, there was a horrible
smell in the room, I think it came from Bert Baxter himself The bed sheets looked as
though they were covered in blood, but Bert said that was caused by the beetroot
sandwiches he always eats last thing at night.

a) To inform the reader not to smoke in bed.

b) To persuade the reader to always clean their sheets.
c) To describe Bert Baxter and his room.
d) To instruct the reader how to eat beetroot sandwiches.

13. Why might a personal loan company include the

following line in their advertisement?
For under £100 a month, you could borrow £5 000 immediately with no questions asked.

a) To instruct you to quickly contact the company to arrange the loan.

b) To persuade you to take out a loan for £5 000.
c) To describe the range of services offered by the loan company?

14. Is the following passage an example of instructive

text?
SPECIAL OFFER FOR SHELL FRIDGE SHOPPERS!
2 tickets for the price of 1 if you book before 16th September!

a) yes b) no

15. The following passage is an example of informative

text. Which of the following is the reader being informed
about?
Introduction to Yoga
FURBY COLLEGE OF CONTINUING E DUCATION
Description of Course :
This course is an introduction to the practice of yoga.
Aimed at beginners, yoga is great for men and women of any age or ability or
fitness level.
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a) That the course is suitable for complete beginners.

b) That the course will lead on to the Stage 2 course.
c) That Yoga is particularly suitable for women.
d) That yoga is not suitable if you have a heart complaint.

16. Which of the following are not normally used in

descriptive texts?
a) adjectives
b) adverbs
c) step by step action to be taken by the reader

17. Instructive texts always use images to show what is to be

done.
a) true b) false

18. You should always consider the intended audience/reader when writing a
document to be read by someone else.
a) true b) false

19. Which of the following is not a piece of text?

a) an email b) a newspaper article c) a map d) an advertisement

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20. Translate into English:

Mi-aduc aminte ca mi-am cumparat prima masina. Ma gandisem sa-i

fac o surpriza sotiei si am invitat-o la o plimbare. Cand am ajuns la
benzinarie ne-am oprit sa bem o cafea. Am pretins ca mi-am uitat
acasa portofelul si am rugat-o sa ma astepte. Urma sa ma intorc
repede cu banii sa achit cafeaua. M-am prefacut ca ma grabesc si am
dat coltul strazii alergand. Parcasem masina pe straduta aceea
gandindu-ma cum voi aparea conducand-o calm in doar cateva
minute. Imi imaginam cat de fericita va fi cand ma va vedea la volan.
Totul ar fi fost perfect daca nu mi-as fi uitat cheile masinii in
buzunarul jachetei care ramasese acasa, pe cuier. Mi-am spus atunci
ca nu voi mai incerca sa fac nimanui o surpriza in urmatorii cinci ani.

III Text structure

The article below expresses an opinion.
1. Read the article and choose the best title.
a. Weddings are a waste of money
b. Weddings are for the family
c. Weddings are a chance to escape

IN BRITAIN, the traditional white wedding in a village church, with in-laws

wearing silly hats, is going out of fashion. One in six couples now prefer to
get married abroad, and the more exotic or eccentric the location, the better.
But are they making a terrible mistake? First and foremost, a wedding, with
all its traditions and rituals, is a rite of passage to be shared with family and
close friends. Understandably, there are those who want to avoid the stress
and expense of a big wedding and opt instead for a low-key affair. I have no
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problem with that - it's a matter of personal choice. But in my view, a couple
who opt for a holiday instead of a wedding are running away from reality.
Celebrities are renowned for their short-lived marriages, but not surprisingly,
marriages that began in exotic locations appear to have even less chances of
surviving. Britney Spears, for instance, married a childhood friend in the
Little White Wedding Chapel in is Las Vegas and their marriage was
annulled after 55 hours. Photos of Renée Zellweger and her country singer
groom exchanging vows on a Caribbean beach looked idyllic, but they
separated after four months. It is worth considering the list of top wedding
destinations - Cyprus, Italy, Greek islands, Caribbean, Mauritius. What
strikes me is that these are honeymoon destinations and personally, I think
that the honeymoon has a completely different function from the wedding.
Honeymoons are for the couple, a welcome escape from everyday life, a
once-in-a- lifetime holiday. A wedding, on the other hand, is all about family
and friends. In my opinion, marriages for life need to be rooted in life, not in
fantasy. However lavish or modest the wedding, it has no meaning if the
people who are there for you every day of your life cannot afford the airfare
to the chosen exotic location. My advice to a couple who are tempted to tie
the knot on a Caribbean beach is this: don't do it unless you can afford to pay
for your nearest and dearest to go with you. *

2. The article was originally written in five paragraphs as follows. Mark

where you think each new paragraph begins. There should be 5 paragraphs
in all:

Paragraph 1 introduces the subject of the article

Paragraph 2 the writer states her opinion
Paragraph 3 she gives examples
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Paragraph 4 she develops her ideas

Paragraph 5 she sums up her opinion and leaves the reader with food for thought

IV. Writing persuasive text

Imagine you are trying to sell something for a substantial

amount. You need the money for your tuition fee,
which means you cannot afford to make a discount.
Any less than the fee amount will not be enough.
Write a 250-word piece trying to persuade your
potential client to invest in your good without
disclosing your vested interest.
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V. Text study (introducing discourse

analysis)
Read the explanatory text below and the three
fragments from Henry James’s ‘Portrait of a Lady’;
then use boldface to highlight the words, phrases or
clauses which, in your opinion, illustrate the
narrator’s use of the ‘point of view’ technique.

Write a short account of your choices. (optional )

Third Person Omniscient

The Portrait of a Lady is narrated in the third person by an unidentified external voice –
the narrator is not a character, nor is he necessarily identified with James himself. The
novel’s point of view is omniscient, and often gives us insight on the thoughts and
feelings of the characters. But, it remains at an objective distance; despite the fact that
the narrator is frequently critical of the characters, and certainly has quite strong
opinions, the novel refrains from placing overt judgment on them. The narrator makes
use of words like "I" and "we," but we’re never exactly sure whom these terms refer to,
nor is this knowledge particularly important to our understanding of the novel. This
narrative voice shapes our understanding of the characters, but we are allowed to make
our own judgments with regards to their actions. (http://www.shmoop.com/portrait-of-a-
lady/narrator-point-of-view.html)

a) The reade r alread y know s more abou t him than Isabel wa s eve r
to know , and the reade r ma y therefore be given th e ke y to th e
mystery. Wha t kep t Ralp h aliv e wa s simp ly th e fact tha t he had
no t ye t see n enoug h of th e person in th e worl d in who m he
wa s mos t inte rested : he wa s no t ye t satisfied . Ther e wa s mor e to
come ; he couldn' t mak e up his min d to los e that . He wante d to
se e wha t sh e would mak e of he r husban d - or wha t he r
husban d would mak e of her . Thi s wa s onl y th e firs t ac t of th e
drama, a nd he wa s determine d to si t ou t th e pe rfo rmance . (p.534)
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b) Th e feelin g wa s deep , becaus e it wa s sincere s he ha d had the

revelation tha t she could after all dispens e wit h him . If to
he rsel f th e ide a wa s startling , if it pre sente d itself at first as a
kind of infidelity , a capac ity for pollution , wha t infinite ef fec t
migh t it not be expecte d to hav e ha d upo n him ? It wa s ver y
simple; he desp ise d her ; sh e ha d no tradition s an d th e moral
horizo n of a Unitaria n minister . Poo r Isabel , wh o had ne ver
bee n abl e to understan d Unitarianism! Thi s was th e
certitud e sh e ha d bee n livin g wit h no w for a time tha t sh e ha d
cease d to measure . Wha t wa s comin g - wha t wa s be for e them ?
Tha t wa s he r constan t quest ion . What woul d he do - wha t ough t
sh e to do ? Whe n a man hate d hi s wif e wha t di d it lea d to? Sh e
did n’t hate himthat she was sure of, fo r ever y littl e whil e she
felt a pass ionat e wis h to giv e hi m a pleas ant surpr ise . Very
often , however , sh e fel t afraid , an d it use d to co me over her , as I
hav e intimated , tha t sh e ha d dec eive d him at th e ver y first. (p.
583)

c ) Isabel gave a long murmur , like a crea ture in pain; it was as if he

wer e press ing some thin g tha t hur t her . 'Th e world’s very small,' she
said at random ; she had an immens e desire to appea r to resist. She said
it at random , to hear herself say some thing ; but it was no t what she
m e a n t . Th e world, in trut h had never seemed so large; it seemed
to open out all roun d her, to take the for m of a might y sea where she
floated in fathomles s waters . She had wante d help, and here was help; it
had c o m e i n a rushing tor ren t. I know no t whethe r she believed
everythin g he said; but she believed just then that to let him take her
in his arms would be the next best thing to her dying. This belief, for a
moment , was a kind of rapture , in which she felt herself sink and sink. In
the movement she seemed to bea t wit h her feet, in orde r to catc h
hersel f, to feel somethin g to res t on. (p. 787)

Thank you for taking this test!