Last Updated on March 3, 2025
Classic Learning Test CLT Grammar/Writing Practice Test 1 on Philosophy/Religion. You will have 40 minutes to complete Section II in the actual test. Read each of the 4 passages in this section and answer the corresponding questions (40 total) to the best of your ability.
Each question will ask you to correct an error or suggest an improvement in the passage. If no change is necessary, select the option “NO CHANGE.” Note: Most questions correspond to a numbered portion of the passage. In these questions, answer choices represent alternatives that could be substituted for the numbered portion. Select the best answer choice out of the given options.
CLT Grammar/Writing Practice Test Philosophy/Religion
Philosophy/Religion
This passage is adapted from Thomas à Kempis’s “The Doctrine of Truth” in The Imitation of Christ, first written in the early fifteenth century and translated here by Rev. William Benham.
The more recollected a man is and the more simple of heart he becomes, the easier he understands sublime things, for he receives the light of knowledge [41] to above. The [42] pure, simple and, steadfast spirit is not distracted by many labors, for he does them all for the honor of God. And since he enjoys interior peace he seeks no selfish end in anything. [43] What, indeed, gives more trouble and affliction than uncontrolled desires of the heart?
A good and devout man arranges in his mind the things he has to do not according to the whims of evil [44] information but according to the dictates of right reason. [45] I mean, who has to struggle more than the person who tries to master himself? This ought to be our purpose, then: to conquer self, to become stronger each day, to advance in virtue.
Every perfection in this life has some imperfection mixed with it, and no learning of ours is without some darkness. [46] Humble knowledge of self is a surer path to God than the ardent pursuit of learning by oneself. Not that learning is to be considered evil, or knowledge, which is good in itself and so ordained by God, but a clean conscience and virtuous life ought always to be preferred. Many often err and accomplish little or nothing because they try to become learned rather than to live well.
If men used as much care in uprooting vices and [47] destroying virtues as they do in discussing problems, there would not be so much evil and scandal in the world, or such laxity in religious organizations. On the day of judgment, surely, we shall not be asked what we have read but what we have done; not how well we have spoken but [48] how well we have lived.
Tell me, where now are all the masters and teachers whom you knew so well in life and who were famous for their learning? Others have already taken their places, and I know not whether they ever think of their predecessors. During life they seemed to be something; [49] before they are seldom remembered. How quickly the glory of the world passes away! If only their lives had kept pace with their learning, then their study and reading would have been worthwhile.
How many there are who perish because of vain worldly knowledge and too little care for serving God. They became vain in their own conceits because they [50] will choose to be great rather than humble.
This passage has been excerpted and adapted from the original, including minor punctuation changes, spelling changes, and other modifications that have not substantially changed content or intent.
41. to
A) NO CHANGE
B) from
C) for
D) with
42. pure, simple and, steadfast
A) NO CHANGE
B) pure, simple, and steadfast
C) pure simple and steadfast
D) pure simple, and steadfast
43. What, indeed, gives more
A) NO CHANGE
B) What indeed, gives more
C) What, indeed gives more
D) What indeed, gives, more
44. information
A) NO CHANGE
B) installation
C) inclination
D) indisposition
45. Which of the following choices best matches the tone of the passage?
I mean, who has to struggle more than the person who tries to master himself?
A) NO CHANGE
B) Let’s be real: who has to struggle more than someone trying to master himself?
C) Who is forced to struggle more than some person just trying to master himself?
D) Who is forced to struggle more than he who tries to master himself?
46. Which of the following choices represents the clearest and most concise way to convey all of the information in the sentence?
Humble knowledge of self is a surer path to God than the ardent pursuit of learning by oneself.
A) NO CHANGE
B) Humble knowledge of and information-gathering about oneself is a surer path to God than the ardent, vigorous pursuit of learning by oneself.
C) Humble knowledge of self is a surer path to God than the ardent pursuit of learning.
D) Humble knowledge of and information-gathering about oneself is a surer path to God than the ardent, vigorous pursuit of learning.
47. destroying virtues
A) NO CHANGE
B) implanting virtues
C) destroying learning
D) implanting learning
48. how well we have lived.
A) NO CHANGE
B) whether or not we’ve lived well.
C) how well some of us have lived.
D) well, whether some of us have lived well.
49. before
A) NO CHANGE
B) meanwhile
C) now
D) thus
50. will choose
A) NO CHANGE
B) chose
C) are chosen
D) will have been chosen