STEP Grammar and Structure

Question 1

Choose the correct sentence:

Accepted Answer

She doesn't like coffee.

Answer

'Doesn't' is the correct negative form for third-person singular (she/he/it) in simple present tense. 'Doesn't' already contains the 's' marker, so the main verb stays in base form: 'like,' not 'likes.'

Question 2

Select the correct form: 'By the time we arrived, the meeting _____ already _____.'

Accepted Answer

had / started

Answer

Past perfect tense (had + past participle) is used for an action completed before another past action. The meeting started (earlier past) before we arrived (later past). 'Had already started' correctly shows the earlier action.

Question 3

Which sentence uses the passive voice correctly?

Accepted Answer

The report was written by the manager.

Answer

Passive voice is formed with: be + past participle. 'Was written' uses the correct past participle of 'write.' Common error: using past tense ('wrote') instead of past participle ('written') in passive constructions.

Question 4

Choose the correct relative pronoun: 'The university _____ I graduated from is in Riyadh.'

Accepted Answer

which

Answer

'Which' is used for things (the university is a thing/place). 'Who/whom' are for people. 'Whose' shows possession. 'That' could also be used here, but 'which' is the best choice among the options for referring to a place/institution.

Question 5

Identify the error: 'Each of the students have completed their assignment.'

Accepted Answer

'have' should be 'has' because 'each' is singular

Answer

'Each' is a singular indefinite pronoun, requiring a singular verb: 'has,' not 'have.' The correct sentence is: 'Each of the students has completed their assignment.' ('Their' is acceptable as a gender-neutral singular pronoun in modern English.)

STEP Practice Test

STEP Practice Test

STEP Grammar and Structure