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

Question 1: Choose the sentence with correct indefinite pronoun agreement.

Somebody left our keys on the table.
Somebody left its keys on the table.
Somebody left his or her keys on the table. (Correct answer)
Somebody left their keys on the table.

Correct answer: Somebody left his or her keys on the table.

In formal writing, the singular indefinite pronoun 'somebody' takes the singular 'his or her.'

Question 2: Which sentence uses an apostrophe correctly?

The dog's collar was red. (Correct answer)
The dog wagged it's tail happily.
The dogs collar' was red.
The dogs' collar was red.

Correct answer: The dog's collar was red.

'Dog's' shows singular possession—the collar belonging to one dog—using apostrophe + s.

Question 3: Which sentence correctly uses the prepositions 'between' and 'among'?

The final choice for the new office location is between Dallas, Austin, and Houston. (Correct answer)
The project's profits were divided between the five key investors.
There was a dispute among the two co-founders about the company's direction.
She distributed the workload among her two most trusted assistants.

Correct answer: The final choice for the new office location is between Dallas, Austin, and Houston.

While 'between' is often used for two items, it is also correct for more than two when referring to distinct, individual items or choices. 'Among' is used for a group of people or things that are not specifically named or are viewed collectively. Here, the three cities are distinct choices, making 'between' appropriate.

Question 4: Which of the following sentences uses the idiom 'cut corners' correctly?

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)
To finish the cake on time, he had to cut corners of the decorative paper.

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 5: A: 'Would it be possible to reschedule our meeting to Thursday?' B: '___'

You should have asked me much earlier.
Thursday doesn't appear on my calendar.
I'm fully booked Thursday — could we try Friday instead? (Correct answer)
Meetings happen every week regardless.

Correct answer: I'm fully booked Thursday — could we try Friday instead?

Declining politely while offering an alternative keeps the conversation productive.

Question 6: If someone tells you to 'burn your bridges,' they are warning you not to:

Work too hard on a project
Destroy future opportunities by acting rashly (Correct answer)
Travel too far from home
Spend all your money at once

Correct answer: Destroy future opportunities by acting rashly

'Burning your bridges' means permanently damaging relationships or eliminating future options through careless actions.

Question 7: About how many scents can a human nose remember?

Around 1 million
Around 50,000 (Correct answer)
Around 10,000
Around 500

Correct answer: Around 50,000

The human nose is remarkably sensitive and capable of distinguishing and remembering a vast array of scents. Scientific research suggests that humans can identify and recall approximately 50,000 different odors. This impressive olfactory capacity plays a significant role in memory, emotion, and perception of the environment.

Question 8: The new policy was intended to ________ corruption by increasing oversight and transparency. 'Officials hoped it would reduce dishonest practices.'

endorse
curb (Correct answer)
perpetuate
cultivate

Correct answer: curb

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

Question 9: Which ancient civilization is credited with the invention of wheel?

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

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 10: A literary critic writes: 'While the novel's plot is certainly intricate, its characters are little more than archetypes, moving through the narrative without any discernible internal growth or complexity.' What is the critic's overall attitude toward the novel?

Impressed by the narrative structure
Confused by the complicated plot
Enthusiastic and supportive
Critical of the character development (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Critical of the character development

The critic acknowledges the 'intricate' plot but uses dismissive language like 'little more than archetypes' and points out a lack of 'internal growth or complexity.' This contrast highlights a significant flaw, indicating a critical stance focused specifically on the weakness of the characters.

Question 11: Which sentence shows correct use of an intensive pronoun?

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

Correct answer: The president herself signed the document.

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

Question 12: Which sentence correctly uses a semicolon?

She left early; because she was tired.
We need flour; sugar; and butter.
I love coffee; but I avoid it at night.
The meeting was long; however, it was productive. (Correct answer)

Correct answer: The meeting was long; however, it was productive.

A semicolon correctly joins two independent clauses, especially when followed by a conjunctive adverb like 'however.'

Question 13: Which food item never spoils?

Beef Jerky
Beans
Honey (Correct answer)
Cereal

Correct answer: Honey

Honey is a unique food item that, when stored properly, can last indefinitely without spoiling. Its natural composition, including low water content, high sugar concentration, and acidic pH, creates an environment hostile to bacteria and other microorganisms. This makes it a natural preservative, allowing archaeological finds of honey to still be edible after thousands of years.

Question 14: A clinical trial showed that patients who took a new medication reported 60% fewer headaches than the placebo group, though the medication caused mild nausea in 30% of participants. Which inference is most reasonable?

The medication should never be prescribed to anyone
The medication's effectiveness must be weighed against its side effects (Correct answer)
The placebo group benefited more than the medication group
All patients will experience nausea from the medication

Correct answer: The medication's effectiveness must be weighed against its side effects

The drug is effective but has a notable side effect, so a rational conclusion is that the trade-off between benefit and risk must be considered.

Question 15: Which element is known as the building block of life?

Carbon (Correct answer)
Nitrogen
Oxygen
Hydrogen

Correct answer: Carbon

Carbon is often referred to as the building block of life because all known life forms on Earth are carbon-based. Its unique atomic structure allows it to form stable bonds with many other elements, creating the complex organic molecules essential for life, such as proteins, nucleic acids, carbohydrates, and lipids.

Question 16: Choose the correctly punctuated appositive phrase.

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

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 17: Which sentence uses an objective pronoun correctly?

Us students arrived early.
Between you and I, the answer is obvious.
The teacher praised both him and me. (Correct answer)
She spoke directly to he and I.

Correct answer: The teacher praised both him and me.

'Him' and 'me' are both objective pronouns, correctly used as objects of the verb 'praised.'

Question 18: The consultant's report was criticized for being too theoretical and offering few pragmatic solutions to the company's problems. Which of the following is the best synonym for 'pragmatic'?

Idealistic
Inexpensive
Practical (Correct answer)
Complicated

Correct answer: Practical

The word 'pragmatic' means dealing with things sensibly and realistically in a way that is based on practical rather than theoretical considerations. 'Practical' is the closest synonym. 'Idealistic' is an antonym, 'complicated' refers to complexity, and 'inexpensive' refers to cost.

Question 19: Which sentence contains a pronoun reference error?

The committee reached its decision quickly.
Maria told her sister that she had won the prize. (Correct answer)
Jake gave the book to his friend.
Both students completed their assignments.

Correct answer: Maria told her sister that she had won the prize.

In the first sentence, 'she' is ambiguous—it could refer to either Maria or her sister.

Question 20: A: 'Could you please forward the report to me by Friday?' B: '___'

I don't have any reports at the moment.
Of course — I'll send it over before end of day Thursday. (Correct answer)
Reports are filed on Mondays, not Fridays.
You should write the report yourself.

Correct answer: Of course — I'll send it over before end of day Thursday.

A helpful, professional reply confirms the request and offers a specific timeline.

Question 21: Identify the error: 'Because of the store was closed, we went elsewhere.'

No error; the sentence is correct.
'we went' should be 'we have gone'
'was closed' should be 'closed'
'Because of' should be 'Because' (Correct answer)

Correct answer: 'Because of' should be 'Because'

'Because of' is a preposition followed by a noun phrase, not a subject-verb clause; use 'Because' to introduce a full clause.

Question 22: After weeks of negotiation, a company made a final offer to a candidate and is now waiting for their decision. A colleague asks for an update. Which sentence correctly uses an idiom to describe the situation?

It's time for him to face the music and make a choice.
We're waiting for his reply; the early bird gets the worm.
He needs to get a head start on the paperwork.
We've made our final offer, so the ball is in his court now. (Correct answer)

Correct answer: We've made our final offer, so the ball is in his court now.

The idiom 'the ball is in his court' means it is now his responsibility to take the next step or make a decision. This fits the scenario perfectly as the company has made its move and is waiting for the candidate's response. The other idioms are used incorrectly in this context: 'the early bird gets the worm' refers to acting early to get a reward, 'face the music' means to accept the unpleasant consequences of one's actions, and 'get a head start' means to begin before others.

Question 23: Which sentence uses a semicolon correctly?

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

Correct answer: I wanted to go; it rained.

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

Question 24: Identify the sentence with correct use of reciprocal pronouns.

The two friends helped each other with their homework. (Correct answer)
Each other the two friends helped.
The two friends helped one another's homework themselves.
One another helped the two friends each other.

Correct answer: The two friends helped each other with their homework.

'Each other' is the correct reciprocal pronoun for two people performing a mutual action.

Question 25: The scientific report described the results of the experiment as anomalous. Which of the following best describes what the report means?

The results were published in a famous journal.
The results deviated from what was standard or expected. (Correct answer)
The results were consistent with previous findings.
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 26: A: 'We've been working on this problem for hours with no solution.' B: '___'

You should have started working on it earlier.
Have you tried taking a short break? A fresh perspective often helps. (Correct answer)
Some problems are simply impossible to solve.
Problems are a normal part of any job.

Correct answer: Have you tried taking a short break? A fresh perspective often helps.

Offering a concrete suggestion shows empathy and moves the conversation toward a solution.

Question 27: Identify the sentence with no pronoun error.

Her and me went shopping yesterday.
Us girls decided to form a club.
The coach gave the trophy to John and I.
Just between you and me, I know the answer. (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Just between you and me, I know the answer.

'Between you and me' correctly uses the objective pronoun 'me' after the preposition 'between.'

Question 28: Customer: "Excuse me, the item I ordered online arrived damaged. This is very disappointing." Employee: __________

"You'll have to contact the shipping company about that."
"I'm very sorry to hear that. Let me look up your order so we can send you a replacement right away." (Correct answer)
"Do you have proof that it was damaged when it arrived?"
"That happens sometimes with online orders."

Correct answer: "I'm very sorry to hear that. Let me look up your order so we can send you a replacement right away."

This is the ideal customer service response. It begins with an apology, expresses empathy, and immediately moves toward a concrete solution, taking ownership of the problem.

Question 29: Choose the sentence that correctly uses pronoun-antecedent agreement:

Each of the students must bring his or her own pencil. (Correct answer)
Each of the students must bring its own pencil.
Each of the students must bring their own pencil.
Each of the students must bring our own pencil.

Correct answer: Each of the students must bring his or her own pencil.

'Each' is a singular indefinite pronoun, so it requires the singular pronoun 'his or her.'

Question 30: 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.

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.

Questions

18 min

Time Limit

70%

To Pass

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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
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