English TSI Writing sentence skills
questions with solutions
Directions for questions 1-11
Select the best version of the underlined part of the
sentence. The first choice is the same as the original
sentence. If you think the original sentence is best,
choose the first answer.
To walk, biking, and driving are Pat's favorite ways of
getting around.
A. To walk, biking, and driving
B. Walking, biking, and driving
C. To walk, biking, and to drive
D. To walk, to bike, and also driving - answersB
When you cross the street in the middle of the block, this is
an example of jaywalking.
A. When you cross the street in the middle of the block,
this
B. You cross the street in the middle of the block, this
C. Crossing the street in the middle of the block
D. The fact that you cross the street in the middle of the
block - answersC
Walking by the corner the other day, a child, I noticed, was
watching for the light to change.
A. a child, I noticed, was watching
B. I noticed a child watching
C. a child was watching, I noticed,
D. there was, I noticed, a child watching - answersB
Going back to his old school, everything there looked
smaller than Don remembered.
A. Going back to his old school,
B. When he went back to his old school,
C. To go back to his old school,
D. As he went back to his old school, - answersB
Painting, drawing and to sculpt are some of the techniques
,artists such as Picasso used to express themselves.
A. Painting, drawing and to sculpt
B. To paint, to draw, and sculpting
C. Painting, drawing, and sculpting
D. To paint, draw, and sculpting - answersC
Playing sports in school which is an activity meant to teach
teamwork and leadership skills students can use later in life.
A. which is an activity
B. is an activity because it is
C. being an activity which is
D. is an activity - answersD
Glancing at his watch, Daniel picked up his speed.
A. Glancing at his watch,
B. He glanced at his watch, and
C. To glance at his watch,
D. He glanced at his watch, - answersA
For a snake, shedding their skin up to eight times a year is
part of a natural process.
A. For a snake, shedding their skin
B. A snake's shedding its skin
C. When a snake sheds its skin
D. To shed its skin, for snakes - answersB
I was surprised by the noise peering through the window to
see who was at the door.
A. I was surprised by the noise peering
B. I was surprised by the noise, peered
C. The noise surprised me, peering
D. Surprised by the noise, I peered - answersD
Stamp collecting being a hobby that is sometimes used in
the schools to teach economics and social studies.
A. being a hobby that is
B. is a hobby because it is
C. which is a hobby
D. is a hobby - answersD
Knocked sideways, the statue looked as if it would fall.
A. Knocked sideways, the statue looked
B. The statue was knocked sideways, looked
C. The statue looked knocked sideways
D. The statue, looking knocked sideways, - answersA
, Directions for questions 12-22
Rewrite the sentence in your head following the
directions given below. Keep in mind that your new
sentence should be well written and should have
essentially the same meaning as the original sentence.
It is easy to carry solid objects without spilling them, but the
same cannot be said of liquids.
Rewrite, beginning with
Unlike liquids,
The next words will be
A. it is easy to
B. we can easily
C. solid objects can easily be
D. solid objects are easy to be - answersC
Although the sandpiper is easily frightened by noise and
light, it will bravely resist any force that threatens its nest.
Rewrite, beginning with
The sandpiper is easily frightened by noise and light,
The next words will be
A. but it will bravely resist
B. nevertheless bravely resisting
C. and it will bravely resist
D. even if bravely resisting - answersA
If he had enough strength, Todd would move the boulder.
Rewrite, beginning with
Todd cannot move the boulder
The next words will be
A. when lacking
B. because he
C. although there
D. without enough - answersB
The band began to play, and then the real party started.
Rewrite, beginning with
The real party started
The next words will be
A. after the band began
B. and the band began
C. although the band began
D. the band beginning - answersA
Chris heard no unusual noises when he listened in the park.
Rewrite, beginning with
Listening in the park,
