Combined English Language Skills Assessment (CELSA) — Questions and Answers

Question 1: Please, let me _________!

Make
Think (Correct answer)
Put
Have

Correct answer: Think

The correct answer is "think! because the phrase "please, let me" implies that the speaker is asking for permission or opportunity to do something. In this case, they are requesting the ability to think, indicating that they want to take some time to consider or reflect on something.

Question 2: A manager states, 'Our company-wide shift to a four-day work week is intended to boost employee morale and increase productivity, as studies have shown that well-rested employees are more focused and efficient.' The argument in favor of a four-day work week is based on which underlying assumption?

All employees are currently suffering from poor morale.
Employees will use their extra day off for professional training.
Employees can produce the same or more output in fewer hours. (Correct answer)
The company's utility costs will decrease significantly.

Correct answer: Employees can produce the same or more output in fewer hours.

The statement claims that productivity will increase even though employees are working fewer days. For this to be true, the manager must assume that the efficiency gained from being well-rested will be great enough to allow employees to complete a full week's work (or more) in only four days. The entire premise rests on this assumption.

Question 3: What is the capital city if Canada?

Montreal
Toronto
Vancouver
Ottawa (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Ottawa

Ottawa is the capital city of Canada. Located in the province of Ontario, it serves as the political center of the country, housing the Parliament of Canada and numerous federal government departments. While Toronto and Montreal are larger cities, Ottawa holds the distinction of being the national capital.

Question 4: Which word is the antonym of 'fortify'?

Weaken (Correct answer)
Protect
Strengthen
Build

Correct answer: Weaken

Fortify means to make stronger or more resistant; its antonym is 'weaken', meaning to reduce strength.

Question 5: Read the following passage: 'The global supply chain is a complex network responsible for producing and transporting goods from raw material to the end consumer. In recent years, it has faced unprecedented challenges. Events like pandemics, geopolitical conflicts, and extreme weather have exposed its vulnerabilities, causing significant delays and shortages. Companies are now actively seeking to build more resilience by diversifying their suppliers, investing in technology for better tracking, and holding more inventory locally. The goal is to create a more robust system that can withstand future shocks.' Which sentence best expresses the main idea of the passage?

The global supply chain is a complex network for transporting goods.
Recent challenges have exposed weaknesses in the global supply chain, prompting companies to build greater resilience. (Correct answer)
Companies are holding more inventory locally to avoid shortages.
Pandemics and extreme weather are major problems for businesses.

Correct answer: Recent challenges have exposed weaknesses in the global supply chain, prompting companies to build greater resilience.

This sentence accurately captures the problem-solution structure of the paragraph. It mentions the core issue (challenges exposing vulnerabilities) and the resulting action (companies building resilience). The other options state supporting details or only part of the main idea.

Question 6: Researchers found that forests in Region A lost 40% of their tree cover between 2000 and 2020, while neighboring Region B, which enacted strict logging bans in 2001, retained nearly all of its original forest. What can most logically be inferred?

Region B receives significantly more rainfall than Region A
Logging restrictions likely contributed to Region B's forest retention (Correct answer)
Wildlife populations are identical in both regions
Region A has richer soil quality than Region B

Correct answer: Logging restrictions likely contributed to Region B's forest retention

The contrast between Region A's losses and Region B's retention—with logging bans as the key difference—supports inferring that the policy protected the forest.

Question 7: A travel brochure claims that the remote island is a 'veritable paradise,' untouched by modern development. What does 'veritable' mean in this phrase?

A popular and crowded version of something.
An imaginary or fake version of something.
A temporary or seasonal version of something.
A true or genuine instance of something. (Correct answer)

Correct answer: A true or genuine instance of something.

The word 'veritable' is used to intensify a description, essentially meaning 'truly' or 'genuinely'. It emphasizes that the island isn't just being compared to a paradise, but that it is, in fact, a real paradise. The context of it being 'untouched' supports this idea of authenticity.

Question 8: Which word is the antonym of 'novel'?

Familiar (Correct answer)
New
Fresh
Innovative

Correct answer: Familiar

Novel means new or original; its antonym is 'familiar', meaning something well known.

Question 9: A highway bypass was built around a small town to reduce Main Street congestion. Two years later, Main Street shops reported a 40% decline in revenue. What can most likely be inferred?

Diverting traffic away from downtown reduced foot traffic and sales (Correct answer)
The highway was poorly constructed and required costly repairs
Local residents stopped shopping entirely after the highway opened
The town's total population decreased significantly after the bypass opened

Correct answer: Diverting traffic away from downtown reduced foot traffic and sales

Rerouting vehicles away from Main Street logically reduces the number of passing customers, which directly explains the revenue drop.

Question 10: The scientist's findings were met with skepticism because the data seemed too ________ to be reliable. 'The results were inconsistent and hard to replicate.'

transparent
erratic (Correct answer)
conclusive
meticulous

Correct answer: erratic

'Erratic' means unpredictable or irregular, which fits data that is inconsistent and hard to replicate.

Question 11: Which sentence correctly distinguishes 'who' from 'whom'?

Whom called while I was away?
Who did you invite to the party? (Correct answer)
Whom is coming to the meeting?
To who should I address the letter?

Correct answer: Who did you invite to the party?

'Whom did you invite' is correct because 'whom' is the object, but 'Who did you invite' tests whether you can restate it as 'you invited him,' confirming 'whom'—however 'Who' is accepted in informal use here.

Question 12: Which word is most similar to 'verbose'?

Wordy (Correct answer)
Precise
Quiet
Concise

Correct answer: Wordy

Verbose means using more words than necessary, making 'wordy' its closest synonym.

Question 13: Which word is a synonym for 'alleviate'?

Increase
Intensify
Relieve (Correct answer)
Worsen

Correct answer: Relieve

Alleviate means to make suffering or a problem less severe, making 'relieve' the correct synonym.

Question 14: Which word is a synonym for 'proliferate'?

Shrink
Vanish
Multiply (Correct answer)
Decrease

Correct answer: Multiply

Proliferate means to increase rapidly in numbers, which is synonymous with 'multiply'.

Question 15: Which word is a synonym for 'serene'?

Peaceful (Correct answer)
Noisy
Agitated
Turbulent

Correct answer: Peaceful

Serene means calm and peaceful, making 'peaceful' the correct synonym.

Question 16: An unexpected surge in demand for the new product began to exacerbate the already strained supply chain. What is the most direct ANTONYM for 'exacerbate'?

Alleviate (Correct answer)
Complicate
Aggravate
Intensify

Correct answer: Alleviate

To 'exacerbate' a problem is to make it worse. The direct antonym is 'alleviate,' which means to make a problem less severe. 'Aggravate,' 'complicate,' and 'intensify' are all synonyms or have similar meanings to 'exacerbate.'

Question 17: Select the correct word(s): '_ going to put _ books over ___.'

They're / there / their
They're / their / there (Correct answer)
Their / they're / there
There / their / they're

Correct answer: They're / their / there

'They're' = they are; 'their' = belonging to them; 'there' = a place or location.

Question 18: Choose the correctly punctuated appositive phrase.

My neighbor, Dr. Reyes is a cardiologist.
My neighbor Dr. Reyes, is a cardiologist.
My neighbor Dr. Reyes is, a cardiologist.
My neighbor, Dr. Reyes, is a cardiologist. (Correct answer)

Correct answer: My neighbor, Dr. Reyes, is a cardiologist.

An appositive phrase that renames a noun is set off by commas on both sides.

Question 19: In a meeting: A: 'When you say quarterly targets, do you mean the sales goals?' B: '___'

Yes, exactly — specifically the revenue targets for Q3. (Correct answer)
Quarterly means every three months.
I'm not entirely sure what I mean.
Targets are discussed only at annual reviews.

Correct answer: Yes, exactly — specifically the revenue targets for Q3.

Confirming the clarification directly and adding a useful detail is the ideal professional response.

Question 20: Which sentence uses commas correctly with a nonrestrictive clause?

My brother, who lives in Texas called me.
My brother, who lives in Texas, called me. (Correct answer)
My brother who lives in Texas called me.
My brother who, lives in Texas, called me.

Correct answer: My brother, who lives in Texas, called me.

A nonrestrictive (nonessential) clause is set off by commas on both sides, as shown in option B.

Question 21: Which of the following sentences contains a misplaced prepositional phrase that creates ambiguity?

The team celebrated the project's success at the new restaurant.
The company delivered the product to the customer with the faulty packaging. (Correct answer)
The CEO sent a memo to all department heads on Friday morning.
We held a meeting about the budget in the main conference room.

Correct answer: The company delivered the product to the customer with the faulty packaging.

The phrase 'with the faulty packaging' is misplaced. It is intended to modify 'product,' but its position makes it sound as if the 'customer' had the faulty packaging. A clearer sentence would be: "The company delivered the product with the faulty packaging to the customer."

Question 22: The mayor's speech was praised for being ________, as she addressed every concern without unnecessary detail. 'She covered all the key points in under ten minutes.'

ambiguous
verbose
succinct (Correct answer)
redundant

Correct answer: succinct

'Succinct' means brief and clearly expressed, fitting a speech that covered key points concisely.

Question 23: Select the correct reflexive pronoun: 'She made the dress ___.'

theirselves
herself (Correct answer)
hisself
itself

Correct answer: herself

'Herself' is the correct reflexive pronoun for a feminine singular subject; 'hisself' and 'theirselves' are nonstandard.

Question 24: The new policy was intended to ________ corruption by increasing oversight and transparency. 'Officials hoped it would reduce dishonest practices.'

endorse
cultivate
curb (Correct answer)
perpetuate

Correct answer: curb

'Curb' means to restrain or reduce, fitting the goal of reducing corruption.

Question 25: How many stripes are there on the US flag?

12
10
13 (Correct answer)
11

Correct answer: 13

The flag of the United States features 13 horizontal stripes, alternating red and white. These 13 stripes represent the original thirteen colonies that declared independence from Great Britain and formed the United States. The number of stars, however, represents the current number of states.

Question 26: Which word is the antonym of 'vibrant'?

Lively
Dull (Correct answer)
Energetic
Colorful

Correct answer: Dull

Vibrant means full of energy and life; its antonym is 'dull', meaning lacking brightness or energy.

Question 27: Which planet is known as the "Red Planet"?

Venus
Mercury
Mars (Correct answer)
Saturn

Correct answer: Mars

Mars is famously known as the 'Red Planet' due to the abundance of iron oxide (rust) on its surface, which gives it a distinctive reddish-orange hue. This characteristic color is easily observable from Earth and has been a defining feature of the planet throughout history.

Question 28: When the main idea of a paragraph is not explicitly stated in a single topic sentence, it is said to be...

a supporting detail.
a textual error.
an implied main idea. (Correct answer)
the author's bias.

Correct answer: an implied main idea.

An implied main idea is one that is not stated directly. The reader must infer the author's central point by synthesizing the information from various sentences and supporting details provided in the passage.

Question 29: Select the correct form: 'Is that ___ at the door?'

her
they (Correct answer)
him or her
them

Correct answer: they

After a linking verb, the nominative 'they' is the grammatically correct form.

Question 30: Which word is a synonym for 'melancholy'?

Sad (Correct answer)
Calm
Joyful
Angry

Correct answer: Sad

Melancholy refers to a feeling of deep sadness, making 'sad' the correct synonym.

Question 31: Which ancient civilization is credited with the invention of wheel?

The Sumerians (Correct answer)
The Egyptians
The Romans
The Greeks

Correct answer: The Sumerians

The Sumerians, an ancient civilization in Mesopotamia (modern-day Iraq), are widely credited with the invention of the wheel around 3500 BCE. Initially used for pottery, the wheel was later adapted for transportation, revolutionizing agriculture, trade, and warfare. This invention was a cornerstone of early human technological advancement.

Question 32: Which word is the antonym of 'transparent'?

Clear
Visible
Shiny
Opaque (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Opaque

Transparent means allowing light through or being open; its opposite is 'opaque', meaning impossible to see through.

Question 33: Based on context, what does 'diligent' mean? 'The diligent student completed every assignment on time and reviewed her notes daily.'

Shy and reserved
Lazy and careless
Hardworking and persistent (Correct answer)
Talented and gifted

Correct answer: Hardworking and persistent

Context clues like 'completed every assignment on time' and 'reviewed notes daily' indicate 'diligent' means hardworking.

Question 34: Which sentence uses 'would' correctly to describe a past habit?

Every summer, they would visit their grandparents. (Correct answer)
I would be a doctor last year.
He would have finished if he tried.
She would live in Paris now.

Correct answer: Every summer, they would visit their grandparents.

'Would + base verb' can describe a repeated past habit, as in 'every summer, they would visit.'

Question 35: Which word is the antonym of 'prudent'?

Reckless (Correct answer)
Wise
Thoughtful
Careful

Correct answer: Reckless

Prudent means acting with care and forethought; its antonym is 'reckless', meaning without thought for consequences.

Question 36: Which of the following sentences uses the present perfect continuous tense correctly?

We will have been living here for a decade next May.
He had been working on the report all day yesterday.
She is learning Spanish for two years.
They have been renovating the office since last month. (Correct answer)

Correct answer: They have been renovating the office since last month.

The present perfect continuous tense ('have/has been + verb-ing') is used for an action that started in the past and is still ongoing. 'They have been renovating... since last month' correctly depicts an action that began in the past and continues into the present.

Question 37: Which word is the antonym of 'lenient'?

Mild
Generous
Forgiving
Strict (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Strict

Lenient means more merciful or tolerant than expected; its antonym is 'strict', meaning demanding compliance.

Question 38: Which of the following pairs of words are the most accurate SYNONYMS?

Lucid / Vague
Frugal / Extravagant
Egregious / Flagrant (Correct answer)
Gregarious / Aloof

Correct answer: Egregious / Flagrant

Synonyms are words with similar meanings. 'Egregious' and 'flagrant' both mean outstandingly bad or shocking. The other pairs are antonyms: 'gregarious' (sociable) is the opposite of 'aloof' (distant); 'lucid' (clear) is the opposite of 'vague'; and 'frugal' (thrifty) is the opposite of 'extravagant'.

Question 39: Choose the sentence with correct use of a dash (em dash).

She had one goal - to graduate with honors.
She had one goal; to graduate with honors.
She had one goal, to graduate with honors.
She had one goal—to graduate with honors. (Correct answer)

Correct answer: She had one goal—to graduate with honors.

An em dash emphasizes the phrase that follows and replaces a colon or comma for dramatic effect.

Question 40: Which sentence shows correct use of an intensive pronoun?

Myself went to the store.
Please contact myself for questions.
Himself and I finished the work.
The president herself signed the document. (Correct answer)

Correct answer: The president herself signed the document.

Intensive pronouns like 'herself' add emphasis and must accompany a clear antecedent, here 'the president.'

Question 41: The architect was known for his ostentatious designs, which often featured gold fixtures and oversized marble columns. The word 'ostentatious' in this context is closest in meaning to:

Traditional
Pretentious (Correct answer)
Functional
Minimalist

Correct answer: Pretentious

'Ostentatious' describes something that is designed to impress or attract notice, often through vulgar or pretentious display. 'Pretentious' is the best synonym in this context. 'Minimalist' is an antonym, while 'functional' and 'traditional' describe different design qualities.

Question 42: The scientific report described the results of the experiment as anomalous. Which of the following best describes what the report means?

The results deviated from what was standard or expected. (Correct answer)
The results were consistent with previous findings.
The results were published in a famous journal.
The results were exactly as predicted.

Correct answer: The results deviated from what was standard or expected.

'Anomalous' means deviating from what is standard, normal, or expected. In a scientific context, this would mean the experiment produced unusual or surprising results that do not fit the established pattern or hypothesis. The other options suggest the opposite or are irrelevant to the meaning of the word.

Question 43: I will talk _____ Paul when I find him.

To (Correct answer)
Towards
At
Around

Correct answer: To

The word "to" is the correct answer because it indicates the intention or purpose of the speaker to have a conversation with Paul. "To" is commonly used in this context to express the direction or goal of an action, in this case, talking to Paul.

Question 44: The team ______ the project last Friday after months of hard work.

completed (Correct answer)
has completed
had been completing
completes

Correct answer: completed

Simple past ('completed') is correct because 'last Friday' is a specific finished time in the past.

Question 45: Which sentence correctly uses a semicolon?

They arrived early; because traffic was light.
She studied all night; she passed the exam. (Correct answer)
I love hiking; and swimming.
He ran fast; but fell.

Correct answer: She studied all night; she passed the exam.

A semicolon correctly joins two independent clauses without a coordinating conjunction.

Question 46: Which word is a synonym for 'remorse'?

Regret (Correct answer)
Satisfaction
Joy
Pride

Correct answer: Regret

Remorse is a feeling of deep regret for wrongdoing, making 'regret' the correct synonym.

Question 47: Which sentence uses a colon correctly?

He brought three things: a map, a compass, and water. (Correct answer)
I think: that you are right.
She needs: to study harder.
The ingredients are: flour, sugar, and eggs.

Correct answer: He brought three things: a map, a compass, and water.

A colon correctly introduces a list when a complete independent clause precedes it.

Question 48: A passage opens with: 'Despite its benefits, remote work creates significant challenges for managers.' The rest of the passage discusses coordination, oversight, and team cohesion issues. The opening sentence is BEST described as:

A conclusion
An anecdote
The main idea statement (Correct answer)
A counterargument

Correct answer: The main idea statement

The opening sentence introduces the central claim — that remote work challenges managers — which the rest of the passage supports.

Question 49: Identify the sentence with correct capitalization of a title.

She read the book Of Mice And Men.
She read the book of Mice and Men.
She read the book Of mice and men.
She read the book Of Mice and Men. (Correct answer)

Correct answer: She read the book Of Mice and Men.

In title case, capitalize the first word and all major words; prepositions like 'of' and conjunctions like 'and' are lowercase.

Question 50: Which of the following sentences uses the idiom 'cut corners' correctly?

To finish the cake on time, he had to cut corners of the decorative paper.
She was so hungry she decided to cut corners of the sandwich first.
The driver decided to cut corners to get through the city traffic faster.
The students who cut corners on their research paper received poor grades because the work was substandard. (Correct answer)

Correct answer: The students who cut corners on their research paper received poor grades because the work was substandard.

The idiom 'to cut corners' means to do something in the easiest, cheapest, or fastest way, often by sacrificing quality. The sentence about the research paper correctly illustrates this by linking the act of cutting corners (taking shortcuts) to a negative outcome (poor grades due to low quality). The other sentences use the phrase literally.

Question 51: Which word is a synonym for 'apprehensive'?

Confident
Anxious (Correct answer)
Calm
Brave

Correct answer: Anxious

Apprehensive means worried about what might happen, making 'anxious' the correct synonym.

Question 52: The documentary aimed to ________ the public about the dangers of plastic pollution. 'The filmmakers hoped viewers would change their habits after watching.'

discredit
alienate
enlighten (Correct answer)
mislead

Correct answer: enlighten

'Enlighten' means to give greater knowledge or understanding, matching the goal of increasing public awareness.

Question 53: After the merger, the company sought to ________ its new brand identity through advertising campaigns. 'They wanted customers to associate the new name with quality.'

diminish
dispute
consolidate (Correct answer)
obscure

Correct answer: consolidate

'Consolidate' means to strengthen or reinforce, which matches promoting a unified brand identity.

Question 54: Which coordinating conjunction best completes this sentence? 'He wanted to stay home, ___ his boss required him to come in.'

but (Correct answer)
yet
for
so

Correct answer: but

'But' signals contrast between what he wanted and what his boss required.

Question 55: The marketing team presented a compelling advertising strategy; __________, the finance department vetoed it due to budget constraints.

moreover
therefore
however (Correct answer)
consequently

Correct answer: however

The word 'however' is a conjunctive adverb used to introduce a statement that contrasts with what has been said before. The first clause presents a positive action (a compelling strategy), while the second clause presents a contrasting, negative outcome (it was vetoed). 'Therefore' and 'consequently' indicate a result, and 'moreover' adds more information in the same vein.

Question 56: In a memo to her team, a manager wrote: 'We need to be judicious in our spending for the remainder of the quarter to avoid budget overruns.' What is the manager asking her team to do?

Stop all spending immediately.
Show good sense and caution in their spending. (Correct answer)
Spend money as quickly as possible.
Exercise poor judgment in spending.

Correct answer: Show good sense and caution in their spending.

The word 'judicious' means having, showing, or done with good judgment or sense. In the context of avoiding budget overruns, the manager is advising her team to be careful and make wise decisions about their expenses. Stopping all spending might be too extreme, while spending quickly or using poor judgment would be counterproductive to the stated goal.

Question 57: Which word is most similar to 'exacerbate'?

Resolve
Improve
Soothe
Worsen (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Worsen

Exacerbate means to make a problem or situation worse, making 'worsen' the correct synonym.

Question 58: Which word is most similar to 'diligent'?

Hardworking (Correct answer)
Distracted
Lazy
Careless

Correct answer: Hardworking

Diligent means having or showing care and effort in work, synonymous with 'hardworking'.

Question 59: Which word is most similar to 'pragmatic'?

Impractical
Practical (Correct answer)
Idealistic
Theoretical

Correct answer: Practical

Pragmatic means dealing with things sensibly and realistically, making 'practical' the correct synonym.

Question 60: A: 'I'm so sorry I missed your presentation.' B: '___'

Presentations start at 9 AM sharp.
Don't worry about it — I'll send you the slides. (Correct answer)
You always miss everything important.
Yes, you really should have been there.

Correct answer: Don't worry about it — I'll send you the slides.

Accepting an apology graciously and offering a solution is the appropriate conversational response.

Question 61: Which word is the antonym of 'trivial'?

Minor
Significant (Correct answer)
Unimportant
Petty

Correct answer: Significant

Trivial means of little value or importance; its antonym is 'significant', meaning important or notable.

Question 62: Which word is an adjective in the sentence: 'The elderly woman walked slowly down the quiet street.'?

slowly
elderly (Correct answer)
down
walked

Correct answer: elderly

'Elderly' is an adjective because it modifies the noun 'woman.'

Question 63: Which word is most similar in meaning to 'benevolent'?

Kind (Correct answer)
Hostile
Indifferent
Strict

Correct answer: Kind

Benevolent means well-meaning and generous, making 'kind' the closest synonym.

Question 64: The athlete's performance was described as ________ after she broke three world records in one competition. 'Commentators struggled to find words adequate for what they witnessed.'

mediocre
adequate
phenomenal (Correct answer)
tepid

Correct answer: phenomenal

'Phenomenal' means remarkably exceptional, fitting an athlete who broke three world records.

Question 65: Which word is the antonym of 'candid'?

Frank
Deceptive (Correct answer)
Open
Honest

Correct answer: Deceptive

Candid means truthful and straightforward; its antonym is 'deceptive', meaning misleading.

Question 66: Read the following internal company announcement: 'Effective next month, all project status reports must be submitted through the new centralized digital platform. The previous method of emailing reports directly to department heads will be discontinued to ensure all stakeholders have real-time access to the same information and to eliminate version control issues.' What can be inferred from this announcement?

The company is reducing its budget for email server maintenance.
Information was previously siloed and difficult to track consistently. (Correct answer)
Employees were consistently failing to submit their status reports on time.
Department heads were complaining about receiving too many emails.

Correct answer: Information was previously siloed and difficult to track consistently.

The announcement states the new system is designed to 'ensure all stakeholders have real-time access' and 'eliminate version control issues.' This logically implies that the old system of emailing reports created problems where different people had different versions of a report and information was not universally accessible, making it inconsistent and siloed.

Question 67: Which word is a synonym for 'concise'?

Brief (Correct answer)
Vague
Lengthy
Verbose

Correct answer: Brief

Concise means giving a lot of information clearly and in few words, just as 'brief' does.

Question 68: Which sentence uses a semicolon correctly?

I wanted to go; it rained, however.
I wanted to go; but it rained.
I wanted to go, it; rained.
I wanted to go; it rained. (Correct answer)

Correct answer: I wanted to go; it rained.

A semicolon correctly joins two closely related independent clauses without a conjunction.

Question 69: His ________ attitude toward deadlines frustrated his coworkers, who valued punctuality. 'He rarely turned in work on time and seemed unbothered by it.'

vigilant
diligent
earnest
nonchalant (Correct answer)

Correct answer: nonchalant

'Nonchalant' means casually calm or indifferent, fitting someone unbothered by missed deadlines.

Question 70: Read the following paragraph: 'Urban gardening has seen a significant rise in popularity over the last decade. Many city dwellers are converting balconies, rooftops, and small yard spaces into productive gardens. This trend is driven by a desire for fresh, organic produce and a deeper connection to food sources. Furthermore, community gardens are flourishing, providing shared spaces for people to cultivate plants and build social ties. These green spaces contribute to biodiversity, reduce the urban heat island effect, and offer a sense of tranquility amidst the bustle of city life.' What is the main idea of this paragraph?

Community gardens are important for building social connections.
Rooftops and balconies are the best places for urban gardens.
Urban gardening is a growing movement with multiple benefits for city residents and the environment. (Correct answer)
People in cities want to grow their own organic produce.

Correct answer: Urban gardening is a growing movement with multiple benefits for city residents and the environment.

This answer choice best summarizes the entire paragraph. The paragraph introduces the rise of urban gardening and then lists several reasons and benefits, including the desire for fresh food, community building, and environmental advantages. The other options are supporting details or are too narrow in scope.

Question 71: Despite the initial enthusiasm, the project's momentum proved to be ephemeral, lasting only a few weeks before progress stalled. Which of the following words is an ANTONYM for 'ephemeral'?

Transient
Permanent (Correct answer)
Momentary
Fleeting

Correct answer: Permanent

'Ephemeral' means lasting for a very short time. Its antonym is 'permanent,' which means lasting or intended to last forever. 'Transient,' 'momentary,' and 'fleeting' are all synonyms for 'ephemeral.'

Question 72: An employee is writing a formal email to their manager summarizing a project's success. They have just stated the main achievement and now want to add another significant, related accomplishment. Which connector would be most appropriate to start the next sentence?

So
On the other hand
But
Furthermore (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Furthermore

'Furthermore' is a formal adverb used to add an additional, supporting point to an argument or statement already made. It is ideal for professional communication where one is building a case or listing related points. 'But' and 'on the other hand' introduce contrasting ideas, and 'so' indicates a result.

Question 73: Read the passage: 'Despite the initial setbacks and the team's low morale, the captain remained a stalwart supporter of the new strategy, convinced it would eventually lead to success.' The word 'stalwart' in this sentence suggests the captain is...

loyal, reliable, and hardworking. (Correct answer)
wavering and uncertain.
angry and frustrated.
quiet and withdrawn.

Correct answer: loyal, reliable, and hardworking.

'Stalwart' describes someone who is loyal, reliable, and dedicated. The context shows that even when things were going badly ('initial setbacks' and 'low morale'), the captain did not give up on the strategy, demonstrating a strong and dependable commitment.

Question 74: Which word is the antonym of 'arduous'?

Difficult
Lengthy
Exhausting
Easy (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Easy

Arduous means requiring great effort or difficulty, so its antonym is 'easy'.

Question 75: Which of the following word pairs consists of ANTONYMS?

Mitigate / Soothe
Abundant / Plentiful
Taciturn / Reticent
Capricious / Steadfast (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Capricious / Steadfast

Antonyms are words with opposite meanings. 'Capricious' means given to sudden and unaccountable changes of mood or behavior, while 'steadfast' means resolutely or dutifully firm and unwavering. The other pairs are synonyms: 'abundant' and 'plentiful' both mean existing in large quantities; 'taciturn' and 'reticent' both describe someone who is reserved or uncommunicative; and 'mitigate' and 'soothe' both mean to make something less severe.

Combined English Language Skills Assessment (CELSA)

The CELSA is an ESL placement test used by community colleges to place adult English language learners in the appropriate ESL course level. It uses a 4-choice multiple-choice cloze format assessing grammar, vocabulary, and contextual language use.

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45 min

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These practice questions were written with AI tools. They are not real exam questions. Exam facts are checked against the official sources listed below. Not reviewed by a subject-matter expert. Editorial policy

Sources & references

Exam facts on this page (fees, format, dates, passing scores) are checked against these official sources; the date is our last check. Editorial policy

federalregister.gov — Eligibility, passing score · verified Oct 2026
acttabilitytobenefittest.com — Test delivery, fees, exam format, score release, time limit · verified Oct 2026
img1.wsimg.com — Passing score, retake policy · verified Oct 2026