Egyptian Scholastic Test (EST) · EST Literacy
Writing, Syntax and Language Mechanics
89 practice questions, each with the answer and an explanation.
Practise Writing, Syntax and Language Mechanics now
Random questions from this topic, one at a time. You see the answer and the explanation straight after each one.
All 89 questions
- Choose the sentence that correctly uses a semicolon to join two independent clauses.
- Identify the sentence that correctly avoids a dangling modifier error.
- Which sentence maintains proper grammatical parallelism across listed elements?
- Choose the sentence that demonstrates correct subject-verb agreement.
- Which sentence correctly uses apostrophes for possessive nouns?
- Choose the sentence that corrects the comma splice: 'The solar panels generated surplus energy, the batteries stored the excess for nighttime use.'
- Which sentence correctly uses the relative pronoun 'who' versus 'whom'?
- Identify the sentence that correctly distinguishes between 'affect' (verb) and 'effect' (noun).
- Which sentence correctly incorporates non-restrictive appositives with commas?
- Choose the sentence that demonstrates proper pronoun-antecedent agreement.
- Which sentence demonstrates concise writing without redundant or repetitive phrasing?
- Choose the option that correctly punctuates a restrictive relative clause.
- Identify the sentence that correctly employs the subjunctive mood for a hypothetical condition contrary to fact.
- Select the sentence that avoids a faulty comparison.
- Which sentence correctly uses a colon to introduce an explanatory list?
- Which transition word or phrase is best suited to introduce an illustration or clarifying instance?
- Choose the sentence that correctly handles the correlative conjunctions 'neither... nor'.
- Identify the sentence that correctly places modifiers to avoid ambiguity.
- Which sentence correctly maintains tense consistency within a narrative of past events?
- Choose the sentence that uses coordinating conjunctions correctly without a comma splice or run-on.
- Which sentence correctly uses the possessive pronoun 'its' versus the contraction 'it's'?
- Select the sentence that avoids passive voice where an active construction provides greater clarity and strength.
- Which sentence correctly distinguishes between 'fewer' (for countable nouns) and 'less' (for uncountable mass nouns)?
- Choose the sentence that correctly integrates quotation marks and punctuation.
- Which of the following sentences correctly utilizes the idiom 'capable of'?
- Identify the sentence that correctly handles noun-pronoun agreement with the collective noun 'team' acting as a unified entity.
- Choose the sentence with correct subject-verb agreement across an intervening prepositional phrase.
- Which sentence correctly coordinates a series using parallel gerund phrases?
- Identify the sentence that correctly distinguishes between 'affect' and 'effect'.
- Which sentence correctly employs a restrictive relative clause without unnecessary commas?
- Select the sentence that correctly uses the past perfect tense to establish chronological sequence.
- My uncle is ___ engineer.
- This book is different ___ the others.
- You ___ bring a pen; they will provide one.
- It is worth ___ the museum.
- By the end of next month, the workers ___ the lesson.
- The company, ___ headquarters are in Amman, employs 500 people.
- By the end of next month, the committee members ___ the museum.
- He saved money ___ he could buy a car.
- Choose the correct reported form: Ahmed said, "I will call you tomorrow."
- The quality of these products ___ excellent.
- She stayed at home ___ she was ill.
- This is ___ interesting book I have read this year.
- Every student and every teacher ___ invited.
- How ___ students are there in your class?
- Choose the correct reported form: Mona asked, "Where do you live?"
- A number of visitors ___ waiting outside.
- The letters ___ by the secretary every morning.
- By the time the inspector arrived, the engineer ___ a new topic.
- The book ___ I bought yesterday is excellent.
- He ___ be ill, because he looks very pale.
- You will not get a refund ___ you have the receipt.
- Look! Mona ___ the classroom right now.
- That is the girl ___ father is a surgeon.
- The number of visitors ___ increasing every year.
- I saw ___ one-eyed cat in the garden.
- Please close ___ door when you leave.
- By the end of next month, the students ___ the museum.
- By the end of next month, Karim ___ the new shop.
- They stayed at ___ hotel near the pyramids, and the hotel was cheap.
- She has ___ friends, so she often feels lonely.
- Ten kilometres ___ a long way to walk.
- Mathematics ___ a compulsory subject in many schools.
- Everything ___ he said was true.
- There isn't ___ milk left in the fridge.
- He insisted ___ paying the bill.
- The lights are off, so they ___ be at home.
- He apologised ___ being late.
- This is the town ___ I was born.
- Karim ___ the lesson since 2020.
- The teacher gave us ___ advice. (use)
- The jury ___ divided in their opinions about the verdict.
- Many pyramids ___ near Cairo.
- We hope ___ you next summer.
- The teacher made the students ___ the text again.
- She is used to ___ early.
- English ___ all over the world.
- She is ___ than her sister.
- I need ___ advice about my project.
- You ___ wear a seat belt; it is the law.
- Their house is as ___ as ours.
- I am fed up ___ waiting.
- The ___ of the new bridge took two years. (construct)
- He ___ the problem quickly. (solution)
- I look forward to ___ from you.
- By the end of next month, the engineer ___ the window.
- The students, ___ were tired, went home early.
- The product is cheap; ___, it is of high quality.
- Students ___ talk during the exam.