OOPT Basic

Question 1

Choose the underlined area that includes a mistake.

His struggles and sufferings, which he claimed were his worse, would be more satisfactory if he actually took the time to organize his thoughts.

Accepted Answer

worse

Answer

The word "worse" is a comparative adjective, used when comparing two things. However, the sentence implies that his sufferings are the *most* severe among all possible sufferings, requiring the superlative adjective "worst." The phrase should be "his worst" to correctly express the highest degree of badness.

Question 2

Choose the underlined section that contains an error:

My buddy had been advised to make prudent investments with her inheritance, so she delayed to purchase those stocks offered on the exchange that afternoon.

Accepted Answer

delayed to purchase

Answer

The verb "delayed" should be followed by a gerund (the -ing form of a verb) rather than an infinitive. The correct phrasing would be "delayed purchasing" those stocks. Many verbs, including "delay," take a gerund to complete their meaning.

Question 3

Despite his four years of expertise in software engineering, Mr. Jones had never used a word processing tool ___________.

Accepted Answer

before

Answer

The word "before" functions as an adverb of time, indicating that Mr. Jones had never used a word processing tool at any point prior to the current situation. It effectively completes the meaning of "never used" by specifying the timeframe. While "prior" can be similar, "before" is the most natural and grammatically complete choice in this context.

Question 4

The person taking the minutes will be seated __________ the chairman.

Accepted Answer

Answer

The options "from" and "to" are prepositions that do not appropriately describe a seating position relative to another person in this context. To indicate where someone is seated in relation to another, prepositions like "next to," "beside," "in front of," or "behind" would be grammatically correct and convey a clear spatial relationship.

Question 5

The employees __________ about the closure before it was made public.

Accepted Answer

knew

Answer

The sentence describes an action that occurred and was completed in the past ("before it was made public"). Therefore, the simple past tense verb "knew" is the appropriate choice. "Have known" would be present perfect, "know" is present, and "known" is a past participle requiring an auxiliary verb.

(OOPT) Oxford Online Placement Test Practice Test

(OOPT) Oxford Online Placement Test Practice Test

OOPT Basic