Last Updated on May 22, 2024
Accuplacer Writing Practice Test 2024 (Next Generation): Test your Accuplacer Writing Skill practice test for free. You can also download printable PDFs. In addition, you can also test sample essays and grammar questions.
Fixing mistakes to make sentences grammatically correct. Answering ACCUPLACER Writing questions in the context of an essay. Improving meaning by understanding what the author is attempting to convey.
Ready to practice your skills from our sample Accuplacer Writing Practice Test? This test includes 30 questions that focus on both grammar and the expression of ideas.
Accuplacer Writing Practice Test
| Name of the Test | Accuplacer Practice Test |
| Administrated by | College Board |
| Total Questions | 30 |
| Question format | multiple-choice questions |
| Test subjects | Writing Skills |
Questions on the Expression of Ideas
For each of the following passages, read the early draft of an essay and then choose the best answer to each question that follows.
(1) The Star Trek television franchise has proved to be one of the
most popular and durable such ventures in the history of Hollywood. (2)
In the half century since its premier in 1966, the original Star Trek series
has spawned a surfeit of offshoots in a wide variety of media forms:
films, spin-offs, animated series, prequels, video games, and even fancreated series.
(3) Although its opening monologue famously touts the “five-year
mission” of the Starship Enterprise, the show was cancelled in its third
season. (4) Over the next few years, however, the syndication of Star
Trek episodes outside of prime-time television hours sparked a relatively
small but fiercely loyal cult following. (5) In an age predating the Internet
by a generation, fans managed to find each other, often at Star Trek
conventions that occurred with increasing frequency throughout the
1970s. (6) These fans formed and then steadfastly maintained these
notorious connections, further extending the Star Trek “community.”
(7) With a viewership eager for more, Star Trek was finally ready for
its next phase, and so was Roddenberry. (8) In 1979, the first full length
feature film, Star Trek — The Motion Picture — was released. (9) Five
more movies followed until Roddenberry’s death in 1991. (10) Also
during that time period, Roddenberry launched Star Trek — The Next
Generation, the first of a variety of equally successful Star Trek series.
Q1. Should the writer delete the underlined portion of Sentence 2 (reproduced here)?
In the half century since its premier in 1966, the original Star Trek series has spawned a surfeit of offshoots in a wide variety of media forms: films, spin-offs, animated series, prequels, video games, and even fan-created series.
- (A) Yes, because the underlined portion blurs the focus of the essay with unnecessary information.
- (B) Yes, because the underlined portion unintentionally weakens the argument that the show was originally unsuccessful.
- (C) No, because the underlined portion provides clarifying information.
- (D) No, because the underlined portion provides evidence that the show was originally unsuccessful.
Q2. Which of the following sentences, if placed at the beginning of the second paragraph, provides the best transition to the information that follows?
- (A) Before he created Star Trek, Gene Roddenberry got his start in Hollywood as a freelance scriptwriter for popular 1960s shows such as Have Gun — Will Travel and Highway Patrol.
- (B) Notwithstanding its ultimate success, the series initially struggled to find an audience and did not attain the popularity that its creator, Gene Roddenberry, had hoped for.
- (C) Consequently, series creator Gene Roddenberry and his heirs have earned an estimated $500 million in royalties from the successful franchise.
- (D) From the inception of the original series, its creator Gene Roddenberry envisioned the Star Trek universe as not just an escape from our world, but a vantage point from which to explore it.
Q3. Which is the best version of the underlined portion of Sentence 6 (reproduced here)?
These fans formed and then steadfastly maintained these notorious connections, further extending the Star Trek “community
- (A) (as it is now)
- (B) cherished
- (C) formidable
- (D) prosperous
Q4. In Sentence 6, why does the writer place the word “community” in quotation marks?
- (A) To identify the use of a term in a non-standard way.
- (B) To identify the introduction of a term that the reader may not understand without a definition.
- (C) To indicate the use of a direct quotation by Gene Roddenberry.
- (D) To convey the writer’s subtle contempt for that community.
Q5. Which of the following best characterizes the writer’s overall stance on the Star Trek franchise?
- (A) Journalistic impartiality
- (B) Unmasked antipathy
- (C) Mild praise
- (D) Overall admiration
(1) I have to admit that when I first noticed the entrance to The World
Bags and Luggage Museum in Tokyo, I thought it was a joke. (2) “What’s
it filled with?” I wondered, “A lot of luggage on display behind glass?”
(3) Because of my reservations, I walked inside and found, happily, that
admission to the museum was free.
(4) Inside, I found pretty much what I’d been expecting: luggage
behind glass. (5) What I wasn’t expecting, though, was how surprising
and artistic the exhibits actually were.
(6) Most of the pieces were from the period between the late 19th
century and the late 20th century. (7) For example, a collection of steamer
trunks of various sizes and shapes were displayed in front of a large
black-and-white photograph of the Titanic. (8) Although I’d seen such
items before, I’d never connected them with a historical event of such
magnitude. (9) Trunks like these, I discovered, would be typical of those
that affluent travelers took with them when crossing the ocean. (10) One
was even open and set on its side, showing off that it doubled as a chest
of drawers, a useful feature given the relatively confined cabin space that
would have been available aboard a ship.
(11) Another display presented a variety of mid-20th-century luggage
made from the hides of exotic animals: alligators, crocodiles, snakes,
plus others that I didn’t recognize. (12) The pieces themselves were
well-preserved and ornately beautiful. (13) And with changes in fashion
— not to mention regulations prohibiting the hunting of animals for such
uses — examples of this kind were most likely never again to be
reproduced.
(14) Oddly, some of the less outlandish pieces held more emotional
interest for me. (15) A row of rather workaday looking travel suitcases
from the 1960s and 70s reminded me of the one that my dad would carry
with him on business trips when I was growing up. (16) At the time, I
never thought twice about it; now, it brought to mind sitting on his bed
talking with him as he packed, and knowing that I would miss him while
he was away. (17) I imagine that a woman might have a similar moment
of wistful recognition among the wide collection of vintage purses and
handbags.
Q6. Which of the following is the best version of the underlined portion of Sentence 3 (reproduced here)?
Because of my reservations, I walked inside and found, happily, that admission to the museum was free.
- (A) (as it is now)
- (B) With equal enthusiasm,
- (C) Despite my initial skepticism,
- (D) Not surprisingly,
Q7. Which of the following sentences, if placed between Sentences 6 and 7 (reproduced here), creates the best transition between these two sentences?
(6) Most of the pieces were from the period between the late 19th century and the late 20th century. (7) For example, a collection of steamer trunks of various sizes and shapes were displayed in front of a large black-and-white photograph of the Titanic.
- (A) A few even had multiple uses, which explains perhaps why they were so popular in their day.
- (B) Some were set in a historical context that gave them greater interest.
- (C) The pieces looked so old that they now appeared to need special temperature and humidity-controlled conditions.
- (D) Although they might have been expensive in their time, you might well pick up something like this for five dollars at a garage sale
Q8. Which decision is best regarding the underlined portion of Sentence 11 (reproduced here)?
Another display presented a variety of mid-20th-century luggage made from the hides of exotic animals: alligators, crocodiles, snakes, plus others that I didn’t recognize.
- (A) Leave it as it is now
- (B) Revise it to “the types of animals you might normally expect to find in the zoo.”
- (C) Revise it to “many dangerous varieties that can only be hunted by exceedingly courageous stalkers.”
- (D) DELETE it and end the sentence with a period.
Q9. Which of the following is the best decision for the underlined portion of Sentence 17 (reproduced here)?
I imagine that a woman might have a similar moment of wistful recognition among the wide collection of vintage purses and handbags.
- (A) (as it is now)
- (B) shocked disdain
- (C) bottomless depression
- (D) ironic musing
Q10. Which of the following would provide a concluding sentence that best fits the tone and content of the essay?
- (A) If you’re in the area, please don’t pass over this unusual gallery!
- (B) One often finds in such unlikely venues an opportunity not only for edification but also for delight.
- (C) Despite the extravagant cost, the museum is entirely worth budgeting for.
- (D) In short, I believe that women are likely to enjoy the experience far more than men.
Questions on Grammar
For each of the following questions, decide whether the underlined portion of the sentence is correct as written or can be improved.
Q1. Jonathan worried about traveling in the snowstorm, however by the time he left the house, the weather had improved considerably.
- (A) (as it is now)
- (B) in the snowstorm, however, by the time
- (C) in the snowstorm; however by the time
- (D) in the snowstorm; however, by the time
Q2. The male peacock displays a dazzling array of colors, but it’s female counterpart is, by comparison, rather drab.
- (A) (as it is now)
- (B) its
- (C) their
- (D) they’re
Q3. Even if Simon completes the assignment — which is doubtful, because it is due on Tuesday, to avoid summer school, he still needs to do well on the exam.
- (A) (as it is now)
- (B) because it is due on Tuesday; to avoid summer school,
- (C) because it is due on Tuesday — to avoid summer school,
- (D) because it is due on Tuesday) to avoid summer school,
Q4. Every morning, Alexandra used to arrive at the shop at 6:00 a.m., start the coffee brewing, and then opens the doors at around 6:15.
- (A) (as it is now)
- (B) open
- (C) opening
- (D) was opening
Q5. The magician showed us a series of rope tricks these my nephews really enjoyed.
- (A) (as it is now)
- (B) tricks, these
- (C) tricks, which
- (D) tricks, who
Q6. The accent wall is painted in a deep orange, and its affect on the rest of the room is striking.
- (A) (as it is now)
- (B) its effect
- (C) it’s affect
- (D) it’s effect
Q7. Jane’s husband’s car is being repaired, so he is using her car.
- (A) (as it is now)
- (B) Janes husband’s car
- (C) Janes husbands’ car
- (D) Jane’s husbands’ car
Q8. Fortunately, the new job offered Jennifer an important benefit: the opportunity to travel to Spain just about every month.
- (A) (as it is now)
- (B) benefit, the opportunity
- (C) benefit; the opportunity
- (D) benefit this being the opportunity
Q9. By the end of the First World War, many soldiers had been out of the country for well over a year and was looking forward to being reunited with their families.
- (A) (as it is now)
- (B) were
- (C) were being
- (D) will be
Q10. Unlike her mother, Bethany’s height was nearly as tall as her father by the time she was 16 years old.
- (A) (as it is now)
- (B) Bethany was nearly as tall as her father’s height
- (C) Bethany’s height was nearly as great as her father’s
- (D) Bethany was nearly as tall as her father
Q11. When they have been walking for about two hours, Sandra and Chuck sat down in a shaded area and had a picnic.
- (A) (as it is now)
- (B) were walking
- (C) had been walking
- (D) will have been
Q12. Elissa doesn’t just own pugs because she enjoys them, she also earns a portion of her income by breeding them and selling them as pets.
- (A) (as it is now)
- (B) pugs, because she enjoys them,
- (C) pugs because she enjoys them;
- (D) pugs, because she enjoys them;
Q13. Last summer, David, Laura, and Raymond all visited the Grand Canyon together.
- (A) (as it is now)
- (B) Last summer David, Laura and Raymond
- (C) Last summer David, Laura, and Raymond
- (D) Last summer, David, Laura and Raymond
Q14. It is usually more polite to accept a complement when one is given than to explain why you don’t deserve it.
- (A) (as it is now)
- (B) accept a compliment
- (C) except a compliment
- (D) except a complement
Q15. Upon returning to Manhattan, the front door had been unlocked the whole time that they were gone was what the Woolcotts discovered.
- (A) (as it is now)
- (B) the front door had been unlocked the whole time that the Woolcotts had been gone, as they discovered.
- (C) the Woolcotts discovered that the front door had been unlocked the whole time that they were gone.
- (D) the Woolcotts discovered the front door’s having been unlocked the whole time that they were gone.
Q16. The two-week trip to Paris took Kevin away from his studies; consequently he had a stack of assignments waiting for him upon his return.
- (A) (as it is now)
- (B) studies; consequently, he
- (C) studies: consequently he
- (D) studies: consequently, he
Q17. When the lawyers left the hearing, we could tell from the looks on they’re faces that they were not pleased.
- (A) (as it is now)
- (B) their faces that they
- (C) their faces that he or she
- (D) they’re faces that he or she
Q18. Jacob told his brother, Isaac, the good news: his daughter’s essay had won first prize, which included a $5,000 scholarship.
- (A) (as it is now)
- (B) his daughters
- (C) Isaacs’ daughter’s
- (D) Isaac’s daughter’s
Q19. Sarah’s principal concern was for her daughter Claire had neglected to bring a jacket warm enough for a long day of ice skating.
- (A) (as it is now)
- (B) Claire: that had neglected to bring
- (C) Claire, who had neglected to bring
- (D) Claire; who had neglected to bring
Q20. Torn in several places and missing its front cover, I noticed that David’s copy of The Catcher in the Rye showed that he had read itmultiple times.
- (A) (as it is now)
- (B) David had read his copy of The Catcher in the Rye multiple times.
- (C) David’s copy of The Catcher in the Rye showed that he had read it multiple times.
- (D) the condition of David’s copy of The Catcher in the Rye showed that he had read it multiple times.
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