FSOT English Expression Practice Test 2024: Foreign Service Officer: There is a total of 60 English Expression Question answers. You can download it in PDF also. The second part of the FSE is the English Expression test, which covers grammar and usage. Actually, it covers not only grammar but also spelling, organization, punctuation, and editing.
You are presented with several long and short passages that may exhibit incorrect grammar, contain spelling errors, or require reorganization of the sentences. You may also be asked to select a sentence that might enhance the paragraph. Some of the questions refer to the passage as a whole, and some about a small section of the passage.
FSOT English Expression Practice Test
Time: 60 minutes
60 questions
Directions: In the passages that follow, certain words and phrases are underlined and numbered. Following each passage, you find alternatives for each underlined part. Choose the one that best expresses the idea, makes the statement appropriate for standard written English, or is worded most consistently with the style and tone of the passage as a whole. If you think the original version is best, you can often choose answer A, which is usually the same as the original version. You may also find questions about a section of the passage, or about the passage as a whole. These questions do not refer to an underlined portion of the passage, but rather are identified by a number in brackets, like this: [2].
For each question, choose the answer you consider best and circle the letter of that choice. Read each passage through once before you begin to answer the questions that accompany it. You cannot determine most answers without reading several sentences beyond the question. Be sure that you have read ahead before choosing a final answer.
FSOT English Expression Practice TestFrederick Douglass (1817–1895), 1 is regarded as being one of the most famous men in America because of his 2 vigorous battle, fought in the cause of freedom for both blacks and women. 3 Due to the Civil War, Frederick Douglass acted as advisor to President Abraham Lincoln. He recruited black soldiers for the Union and successfully lobbied for their equal pay.
Q1. Choose the correct phrase.
- A. is regarded as being
- B. Omit “is regarded as being.”
- C. is regarded as
- D. Omit “is regarded as.”
Q2. Choose the word that most accurately fits the sentence.
- A. vigorous
- B. heartfelt
- C. serious
- D. profound
Q3. What is the best way to introduce this sentence?
- A. Due to
- B. Because of
- C. During
- D. In
Harriet Beecher Stowe’s novel Uncle Tom’s Cabin was both important and controversial in its time 4 in that the eyes of the public were opened. People were able to understand the profound suffering caused by slavery. Those who espoused slavery were critical of and offended by Stowe’s portrayal of the 5 situation. In response to the criticism expressed by those 6 outraged Southerners Stowe wrote A Key to Uncle Tom’s Cabin, which provided proof of the veracity of events written in the novel.
Q4. What is the correct phrase to use?
- A. in that
- B. because of
- C. that
- D. because
Q5. Choose the best word.
- A. situation
- B. conditions of slavery
- C. livelihood
- D. tradition
Q6. What is the accurate way to write these words?
- A. outraged Southerners
- B. outraged southerners
- C. outraged Southerners,
- D. outraged Southerners;
7 The fact that George Washington had false teeth is fairly common knowledge. 8 However what we aren’t aware of is the story behind these unusual objects.
9 As a young man 10 in his early 20s George had a multitude of dental problems that often required extractions.
11 If memory serves, history books tell us that the false teeth were carved of 12 wood which may have been true. George had several pairs of awkward, poorly fitted false teeth. He was in pain much of the time because of this 13 condition.
14 After trying six dentists, he finally met Dr. John Greenwood, who was able to design more realistic dentures, using hippopotamus teeth that he shaped and polished. Springs connected the upper and lower plates. Although these dentures appeared more natural than the former ones, Washington’s mouth was 15 distorted, creating the familiar profile. In addition he had difficulty speaking and eating, and he was in excruciating pain. Just before his presidential inauguration ,Washington decided to have the lower plate 16 reworked. Supposedly, teeth from several fresh cadavers were used as replacements for the hippopotamus teeth.
Throughout his adult life, George Washington was self-conscious about his appearance, rarely smiling.
Q7. What is the best way to begin this sentence?
- A. The fact that
- B. In fact
- C. Omit this phrase.
- D. It’s a fact that
Q8. What is the best way to punctuate this word?
- A. However
- B. However,
- C. Omit “however.”
- D. It seems that
Q9. What is the clearest way to express this thought?
- A. As a young man
- B. As a young man,
- C. As a young man;
- D. Omit this phrase.
Q10. What is the clearest way to express this thought?
- A. in his early 20s
- B. in his early 20s,
- C. in his early 20s;
- D. Omit this phrase.
Q11. What is the best way to punctuate this phrase?
- A. If memory serves
- B. Omit this phrase.
- C. If memory serves:
- D. If memory serves;
Q12. What is the clearest way to express this thought?
- A. wood which may have been true.
- B. wood, which may have been true.
- C. wood; which may have been true.
- D. wood: which may have been true.
Q13. Choose the best word.
- A. condition
- B. situation
- C. Omit “because of this condition.”
- D. circumstance
Q14. What is the clearest way to express this thought?
- A. After trying six dentists,
- B. Omit this phrase.
- C. After meeting with six dentists,
- D. After seeking help from six dentists,
Q15. Which word best expresses the meaning of the sentence?
- A. distorted
- B. pushed out
- C. misshapen
- D. abnormal
Q16. Which word best expresses the meaning of the sentence?
- A. reworked
- B. repaired
- C. remade
- D. adjusted
Let’s think about 17 horrible menacing blood-sucking creatures. Vampires come to mind, along with mosquitoes and ticks. Because the latter two are more common and, therefore, more familiar, we’ll consider the vampire — vampire bat, that is.
There is plenty of evidence to be found in ancient cultures to support the 18 idea of vampire bats. The ancient Mayans sculpted 19 man-shaped figures having heads of bats and fangs. Latin American cultures relate vampire bats and witchcraft. Last, but not least, fiction records the 20 exploits in the life of Count Dracula.
In fact, vampire bats are an 21 actuality. They can be found 22 exclusively in Central and South America. They prey primarily on farm animals, unless the bats are rabid, in which case humans need to beware. Of approximately 1,000 species of bats, only three are vampire, living entirely on a diet of blood. Each evening, these tiny crea- tures emerge, follow their heat-sensitive noses, and land close to their sleeping prey. They then crawl across the ground, cut a slice of skin from the nose, hoof, or ear tip of the victim, and lap up their meal with a grooved tongue. At each feeding, they consume half their body weight, about two tablespoons, or half an ounce. 23 If one didn’t consider the fact that these bats carry 24 diseases; 25 they might even be considered appealing. These bats greet each other with a hug, suckle orphans, share food with less well-fed cave mates, and rest 80% of the time. Even though the thought of these blood suckers causes horror, they are able to provide mankind with one benefit. Researchers have been able to use the vampire bats’ anti- clotting serum to produce a drug that can benefit those suffering from heart attack.
Q17. Choose the phrase that is correctly punctuated.
- A. horrible menacing blood-sucking
- B. horrible menacing, blood-sucking
- C. horrible, menacing blood-sucking
- D. horrible, menacing, blood-sucking
Q18. Choose the most appropriate word.
- A. idea
- B. concept
- C. thought
- D. circumstance
Q19. Choose the phrase that provides the clearest description.
- A. man-shaped figures having heads shaped like bats and fangs.
- B. figures shaped like men, but having bat-shaped heads and fangs.
- C. human figures with heads like bats and fangs.
- D. figures shaped like humans but having fangs and bat-shaped heads.
Q20. Choose the best word.
- A. exploits
- B. antics
- C. behavior
- D. habits
Q21. Choose the word that best completes the sentence.
- A. actuality
- B. reality
- C. real creature
- D. real
Q22. Choose the word that best fits the sentence.
- A. exclusively
- B. primarily
- C. merely
- D. mainly
Q23. Choose the phrase that best fits the sentence.
- A. If one didn’t consider the fact . . .
- B. If one considered the fact . . .
- C. Thinking about the fact . . .
- D. If you think about the fact . . .
Q24. Choose the answer that is punctuated correctly.
- A. diseases; they
- B. diseases they
- C. diseases, they
- D. diseases — they
Q25. Choose the phrase that is correctly stated.
- A. they might even be . . .
- B. the bats might even be . . .
- C. it might even be . . .
- D. he/she would even be
In the spring of 2005, astronomers discovered that, in addition to 26 its glimmering rings and a huge fog-shrouded moon, the planet Saturn has a very unusual hot spot at the tip of its pole. Infrared images showed that the warmest area on the planet is at the 27 very southernmost tip 28 of the planet. 29 Astronomers aren’t surprised and think that because of the tilt of the planet as it orbits the sun has exposed the southern polar region to the sun for nine years. No wonder it is hot!
Q26. Choose the answer that correctly expresses the possessive form.
- A. its
- B. it’s
- C. its’
- D. it has
Q27. Choose the answer that best completes the sentence.
- A. Leave this word where it is.
- B. Place this word somewhere else in the sentence.
- C. Place this word before warmest.
- D. Omit this word.
Q28. Choose the answer that best completes the sentence.
- A. Leave this phrase at the end of the sentence.
- B. Place this phrase in the center of the sentence.
- C. Place this phrase at the beginning of the sentence.
- D. Omit this phrase.
Q29. Choose the sentence grouping that gives the clearest expression of ideas.
- A. Keep the sentence as is.
- B. Astronomers . . . surprised. Their theory is that because of the tilt of the planet it its orbit the sun’s rays have focused on the Southern region for nine years.
- C. Astronomers aren’t surprised because of the tilt . . .years.
- D. Astronomers aren’t surprised. The tilt of the planet in its orbit has exposed the southern polar region to the sun for nine years.
30 Those people searching for the 31 ultimate of winter thrills are now going into restricted wilderness areas, often at their own peril. This is especially true of those who ski in western areas of the United States, where the danger of avalanche is very real. 32 Currently several companies that produce outdoor gear are expanding their product lines with a potentially life-saving piece of ski equipment, the avalanche rescue beacon. Originally produced for ski patrols and search-and-rescue teams, the beacon is now available to all. Units can be purchased or rented at many ski resorts. When worn by a skier, the device transmits a signal that can be read by other rescue beacons. 33 A switch on the beacon allows the wearer to change it from a transmitter to a receiver. Thus, friends who are wearing beacons are able to begin a search for a buried skier immediately after an avalanche. Traditional avalanche rescue methods involve teams of people 34 working on a grid, using poles to probe the snow, advancing across the avalanche field, and hoping to find the victim in time. If the victim isn’t located in approximately 15 35 minutes suffocation will occur. There has been times when a ski or body part is visible 36 at the surface, making a rescue successful. Without a beacon, however, there often is little chance of recovering an avalanche victim alive.
Q30. Choose the wording that best fits the sentence.
- A. Those people
- B. Omit “people.”
- C. Omit “Those.”
- D. Omit “Those people,” and insert “skiers” after “thrills”
Q31. Choose the wording that best fits the sentence.
- A. ultimate of winter thrills
- B. ultimate winter thrill of thrills
- C. penultimate winter thrill
- D. penultimate thrill of winter
Q32. Choose the wording that best fits the sentence.
- A. Currently several companies that produce outdoor gear
- B. Currently, those companies that produce outdoor gear
- C. Currently, several companies that produce outdoor gear
- D. At this time outdoor gear production companies
Q33. Choose the best sentence placement.
- A. Leave the sentence where it is.
- B. Place this sentence before the previous sentence.
- C. Place this sentence after the following sentence.
- D. Remove this sentence.
Q34. Choose the wording that best fits the sentence.
- A. working on a grid
- B. establishing a grid
- C. making a grid
- D. using a grid
Q35. Choose the best punctuation.
- A. none
- B. ;
- C. ,
- D. .
Q36. Choose the wording that best fits the sentence.
- A. on the surface
- B. near the surface
- C. under the surface
- D. Remove this phrase.
37 [1]Because American Sign Language (ASL) is a visual language, it will always be the language of the deaf or hard-of-hearing community. [2] As with traditional foreign languages, colleges are now offering courses in ASL. [3] More and more frequently, however, those studying ASL are of the hearing world. Some people 38 take ASL because of family or friends who are deaf or hard of hearing. Others have a curiosity about or fascination with the language or 39 may wish to become an ASL interpreter or Signed English transliterator.
ASL isn’t mime, but is a complete language with 40 its own grammatical structure. Hand and body position and orientation 41 as well as facial and body expression comprise the grammatical structure. There is no one-to-one relationship with English, 42 although ASL is distantly related to French Sign Language.
43 Fingerspelling, a system of shapes made with a single hand corresponds to the letters of the alphabet, is taught in ASL classes. Deaf and hard-of-hearing people use fingerspelling for names of people and 44 places, when information needs to be accurate. They often use a combination of signs, fingerspelling, as well as several invented signs. 45 For the hearing population, learning sign a definite challenge but one with many rewards.
Q37. Choose the most logical order of sentences to introduce the first paragraph.
- A. 1, 2, 3
- B. 2, 1, 3
- C. 3, 1, 2
- D. 1, 3, 2
Q38. Choose the word that best fits the sentence.
- A. take
- B. study
- C. read about
- D. talk about
Q39. Choose the best wording for the phrase.
- A. may wish
- B. chose
- C. may think
- D. would like
Q40. Choose the best form.
- A. its
- B. its,
- C. it’s
- D. it’s,
Q41. Choose the answer that best fits the sentence.
- A. as well as
- B. instead of
- C. omit
- D. orientation,
Q42. Choose the best phrase to complete the sentence.
- A. English, although . . . Language.
- B. English, even though
- C. English; although
- D. English. Although ASL is . . . Language
Q43. Choose the best format for the sentence.
- A. Fingerspelling, a system . . . classes.
- B. omit “made with a single hand”
- C. Fingerspelling, . . . hand, . . . alphabet and is
- D. Fingerspelling . . . alphabet. This
Q44. Choose the best form of punctuation.
- A. places, when
- B. places; when
- C. places. When
- D. places when
Q45. Choose the best method of completing the sentence.
- A. For the hearing . . . rewards.
- B. Insert “learning to sign is” instead of “learning sign a “
- C. For . . . population learning . . .
- D. For . . . challenge but . . .
What is your favorite flavor of ice cream? When compiling a list of typical American desserts, 46 it is high on the list. Have you ever thought of its origin? It is said, but never substantiated, that 47 Nero emperor of Rome, ate snow mixed with honey, nectar, and fruit pulp. 48 China’s rulers in the T’ang period (A.D. 618–907) ate similar delicacies of flavored ice or snow. Long before ice boxes or refrigerators were in use, 49 American colonists brought recipes for ice cream from Europe. This dessert became popular in America, especially after George and Martha Washington purchased a “cream machine for ice” in the 50 mid 1870s. This machine 51 allowed them to produce ice cream for their family and guests. It became a popular treat served at many parties. At this same time, Thomas Jefferson brought a handwritten recipe for vanilla ice cream home from Paris. Dolly Madison often served ice cream. In 1813, during James Madison’s second inauguration, she served strawberries with ice cream at the festivities. Initially, vanilla and lemon were the most common flavors. Later, fruit flavors such as strawberry, raspberry, and pineapple came into popularity.
52 Interestingly enough ice cream helped to further liberate women from the confines of the home. Popular thinking had professed that ladies should not eat in public. In the late 1790s, however, shops appeared that sold ice cream. These “pleasure gardens” were acceptable places where women could go for a treat. Gradually, popular thinking changed.
Ice cream recipes began to appear in cookbooks, and ladies began making their own. On September 9, 1843, a patent was issued to a Philadelphia 53 resident, Nancy M. Johnson, for her invention of an “artificial freezer” for ice cream. It consisted of a crank, dasher, tub, cylinder, and lid. This was the first of many machines of this kind. Another Pennsylvanian, Jacob Fussell, built an ice cream factory in a rural area and sent his product packed in ice to urban areas. This was the beginning of the wholesale ice cream business.
During the Civil War, chocolate was a rarity. After the war, however, both chocolate candies and chocolate ice cream became extremely popular. 54 [1] The ice cream sundae appeared at soda fountains 55 having ice cream syrups, and many other toppings. [2] Selling ice cream sodas on Sunday was prohibited. [3] To get around this restriction, the sundae was invented.
The prohibition act of 1920 caused those bar owners who wanted to remain in business to switch from serving liquor and beer to serving ice cream. Thus Americans increased their consumption of ice cream from 260 million gallons in 1920 to 365 million gallons in 1929. The first soft serve was invented in 1938 and called Dairy Queen because they thought their product would be the queen of dairy products. Although you will find many kinds of soft serve ice creams, Dairy Queen is still available.
In the 1930s, grocery stores 56 first began selling ice cream, but you had to eat it fast. The first refrigerator with a separate freezer wasn’t available in most homes until 1939. Today, we have to walk only as far as the freezer section of the refrigerator in our home kitchens.
Q46. Choose the word that makes the sentence clearer.
- A. it
- B. ice cream
- C. dessert
- D. that
Q47. Choose the punctuation mark that is correct.
- A. none
- B. ;
- C. ,
- D. :
Q48. Choose the correct form to use when referring to dates.
- A. Leave as is.
- B. Give no reference to dates for Nero and for the Chinese rulers.
- C. Give reference dates for both Nero and the Chinese rulers.
- D. Give a date reference for Nero and not for the Chinese rulers.
Q49. Choose the best wording for this sentence.
- A. American colonists
- B. Colonists
- C. People from Europe
- D. Americans
Q50. Choose the best form to write a date.
- A. mid 1870s
- B. mid-1870s
- C. mid eighteen seventies
- D. 1870s
Q51. Choose the word that best completes the sentence.
- A. allowed
- B. enabled
- C. helped
- D. encouraged
Q52. Choose the punctuation that is most appropriate.
- A. none
- B. —
- C. ,
- D. *
Q53. Choose the punctuation that is most appropriate.
- A. resident, Nancy M. Johnson,
- B. resident Nancy M. Johnson
- C. resident, Nancy M. Johnson;
- D. resident: Nancy M. Johnson,
Q54. What should the correct sentence order be?
- A. 1, 2, 3
- B. 2, 3, 1
- C. 3, 1, 2
- D. 1, 3, 2
Q55. Choose the best word arrangement for this sentence.
- A. Leave as is.
- B. Move the underlined words so they appear after “appeared” and before “at.”
- C. Move the underlined words so they appear after “soda” and before “fountain.”
- D. Move the underlined words so they appear after “sundae” and before “appeared.”
Q56. Correct the answer that best clarifies the sentence.
- A. Leave as is.
- B. Omit the word “first.”
- C. Omit the word “began.”
- D. Omit “first began.
Astronomers have detected a minute star-like object that is too small to be a star, 57 but that has a disk of dust and gases surrounding it. To date, this is the smallest object that has been found with a disk. 58 They think it might 59 eventually become a miniature solar system that might eventually form planets. 60 It is surmised that these newly created planets might even be capable of supporting life forms. This celestial body is about 15 times the size of Jupiter. It isn’t really a star, but a brown dwarf, a star that has failed. 61 When comparing temperature with other solar 62 bodies, the brown dwarf is cool, at only 3,600 degrees Fahrenheit, and emits infrared light.
Q57. Choose the correct punctuation after the word “bodies” in this sentence.
- A. none
- B. —
- C. ,
- D. ;
Q58. What is the best word to introduce this sentence?
- A. They
- B. Astronomers
- C. Scientists
- D. PhDs
Q59. What word might best replace the first “eventually” in this sentence?
- A. Leave as is.
- B. sooner or later
- C. in time
- D. ultimately
Q60. How should this sentence be edited?
- A. Leave as is.
- B. Omit the sentence.
- C. Rewrite to lengthen.
- D. Rewrite to shorten.
See also:
- FSOT Practice Test 2024 and Study Guide [PDF]
- FSOT Job Knowledge Practice Test (30 MCQs)
- FSOT Job Knowledge Practice Test (60 MCQs)
- FSOT Situational Judgment Test
- FSOT English Expression Practice Test (60 MCQs)