PSC SLE English Writing Practice Test 2

Every original question, with optional answers, explanations and official references. Open an answer to study, or take the test above for instant feedback.

1. Complete: The analyst has ____ the final figures twice.

   1. check
   2. checked
   3. checks
   4. checking
   Show answer and explanation

   Correct answer: checked

   Has combines with the past participle checked to form the present perfect. The other forms cannot complete has in this structure.

   Based on: Original independent grammar exercise; the reference is for further grammar study, not the source of this sentence or an official PSC answer.

   Official reference ↗

2. Fictional workplace note — original exercise. [1] Please [2] to attach [3] the signed page [4] to your reply.

   Check this attachment request: which numbered segment is incorrect?

   1. [1] Please
   2. [2] to attach
   3. [3] the signed page
   4. [4] to your reply.
   Show answer and explanation

   Correct answer: [2] to attach

   Correction: “attach”. The imperative after please uses the base verb attach, without to.

   Based on: Original independent grammar exercise; the reference is for further grammar study, not the source of this sentence or an official PSC answer.

   Official reference ↗

3. Complete: The file ____ I attached contains the approved schedule.

   1. who
   2. whose
   3. where
   4. that
   Show answer and explanation

   Correct answer: that

   That introduces a relative clause about a file and serves as the object of attached. The other offered pronouns do not fill that role here.

   Based on: Original independent grammar exercise; the reference is for further grammar study, not the source of this sentence or an official PSC answer.

   Official reference ↗

4. Complete: The equipment in the two storage rooms ____ regular inspection.

   1. need
   2. needing
   3. to need
   4. needs
   Show answer and explanation

   Correct answer: needs

   Equipment is uncountable and singular. The plural rooms is only part of a modifier, so needs is required.

   Based on: Original independent grammar exercise; the reference is for further grammar study, not the source of this sentence or an official PSC answer.

   Official reference ↗

5. Complete: This notice applies to anyone ____ works in the shared laboratory.

   1. whose
   2. who
   3. whom
   4. where
   Show answer and explanation

   Correct answer: who

   Who acts as the subject of works and refers back to anyone. No possessive or object pronoun is needed.

   Based on: Original independent grammar exercise; the reference is for further grammar study, not the source of this sentence or an official PSC answer.

   Official reference ↗

6. Complete: Did the courier ____ the parcel at reception?

   1. left
   2. leaving
   3. leave
   4. leaves
   Show answer and explanation

   Correct answer: leave

   After did, the lexical verb returns to its base form leave. Past time is already carried by did.

   Based on: Original independent grammar exercise; the reference is for further grammar study, not the source of this sentence or an official PSC answer.

   Official reference ↗

7. Complete: Every applicant ____ a confirmation email after registering.

   1. receive
   2. receiving
   3. to receive
   4. receives
   Show answer and explanation

   Correct answer: receives

   Every applicant is grammatically singular. Receives supplies the third-person singular present verb.

   Based on: Original independent grammar exercise; the reference is for further grammar study, not the source of this sentence or an official PSC answer.

   Official reference ↗

8. Fictional workplace note — original exercise. [1] Could you [2] advice us [3] on the registration steps [4] before Friday?

   Which part of this registration-advice message should be rewritten?

   1. [1] Could you
   2. [2] advice us
   3. [3] on the registration steps
   4. [4] before Friday?
   Show answer and explanation

   Correct answer: [2] advice us

   Correction: “advise us”. The modal could requires the base verb advise. Advice is a noun.

   Based on: Original independent grammar exercise; the reference is for further grammar study, not the source of this sentence or an official PSC answer.

   Official reference ↗

9. Complete: The service is able ____ with the installation.

   1. to assist
   2. assisting
   3. assisted
   4. assists
   Show answer and explanation

   Correct answer: to assist

   Able is followed by a to-infinitive. To assist completes the expression is able to assist.

   Based on: Original independent grammar exercise; the reference is for further grammar study, not the source of this sentence or an official PSC answer.

   Official reference ↗

10. Fictional workplace note — original exercise. [1] The technician [2] has already [3] inspect the lift [4] twice this week.

    Which numbered part of the inspection report contains the error?

    1. [1] The technician
    2. [2] has already
    3. [3] inspect the lift
    4. [4] twice this week.
    Show answer and explanation

    Correct answer: [3] inspect the lift

    Correction: “inspected the lift”. Has already needs a past participle, inspected, to complete the present perfect.

    Based on: Original independent grammar exercise; the reference is for further grammar study, not the source of this sentence or an official PSC answer.

    Official reference ↗

11. Complete: The new scanner is faster ____ the previous model.

    1. then
    2. when
    3. than
    4. that
    Show answer and explanation

    Correct answer: than

    Than introduces the second term of a comparative. Then refers to time or sequence and does not complete faster here.

    Based on: Original independent grammar exercise; the reference is for further grammar study, not the source of this sentence or an official PSC answer.

    Official reference ↗

12. Fictional workplace note — original exercise. [1] The new checklist [2] is more detailed [3] then the old one [4] and includes dates.

    Read the checklist comparison and locate the incorrect segment.

    1. [1] The new checklist
    2. [2] is more detailed
    3. [3] then the old one
    4. [4] and includes dates.
    Show answer and explanation

    Correct answer: [3] then the old one

    Correction: “than the old one”. A comparative uses than to introduce its second term. Then refers to time or sequence.

    Based on: Original independent grammar exercise; the reference is for further grammar study, not the source of this sentence or an official PSC answer.

    Official reference ↗

13. Complete: Information about the deadline ____ available online.

    1. are
    2. am
    3. is
    4. be
    Show answer and explanation

    Correct answer: is

    Information is an uncountable singular noun in this use. It takes is, not the plural are.

    Based on: Original independent grammar exercise; the reference is for further grammar study, not the source of this sentence or an official PSC answer.

    Official reference ↗

14. Complete: The manager and the assistant ____ both attending the briefing.

    1. is
    2. am
    3. be
    4. are
    Show answer and explanation

    Correct answer: are

    The sentence names two different people and reinforces that with both. Their compound subject takes are.

    Based on: Original independent grammar exercise; the reference is for further grammar study, not the source of this sentence or an official PSC answer.

    Official reference ↗

15. Complete: Please separate the original documents ____ the working copies.

    1. at
    2. from
    3. by
    4. into
    Show answer and explanation

    Correct answer: from

    Separate one set from another uses from. The sentence distinguishes originals from copies rather than dividing one set into categories.

    Based on: Original independent grammar exercise; the reference is for further grammar study, not the source of this sentence or an official PSC answer.

    Official reference ↗

16. Complete: Both printers ____ a maintenance check before use.

    1. requires
    2. requiring
    3. require
    4. to require
    Show answer and explanation

    Correct answer: require

    Both printers is plural and takes the base present form require. Requires would agree with a singular third-person subject.

    Based on: Original independent grammar exercise; the reference is for further grammar study, not the source of this sentence or an official PSC answer.

    Official reference ↗

17. Complete: The customer to ____ I spoke asked for a printed receipt.

    1. whom
    2. whose
    3. which
    4. that
    Show answer and explanation

    Correct answer: whom

    After the preposition to referring to a person, whom is the appropriate relative pronoun among these options.

    Based on: Original independent grammar exercise; the reference is for further grammar study, not the source of this sentence or an official PSC answer.

    Official reference ↗

18. Complete: Could you ____ me on which form to use?

    1. advice
    2. advise
    3. advises
    4. advising
    Show answer and explanation

    Correct answer: advise

    Advise is the base verb required after could. Advice is a noun, not the verb needed before me.

    Based on: Original independent grammar exercise; the reference is for further grammar study, not the source of this sentence or an official PSC answer.

    Official reference ↗

19. Complete: The new checklist will ____ the existing training by adding a quick reference.

    1. compliment
    2. complements
    3. compliments
    4. complement
    Show answer and explanation

    Correct answer: complement

    Complement means add something that completes or improves another thing. Compliment means praise; the sentence describes adding a useful reference.

    Based on: Original independent grammar exercise; the reference is for further grammar study, not the source of this sentence or an official PSC answer.

    Official reference ↗

20. Complete: Before the office opened, the technician had already ____ the sensor.

    1. repaired
    2. repair
    3. repairs
    4. repairing
    Show answer and explanation

    Correct answer: repaired

    Had requires the past participle repaired in this past-perfect construction. It places the completed repair before the opening.

    Based on: Original independent grammar exercise; the reference is for further grammar study, not the source of this sentence or an official PSC answer.

    Official reference ↗

21. Complete: The revised form has ____ questions than the old one.

    1. little
    2. fewer
    3. fewest
    4. much
    Show answer and explanation

    Correct answer: fewer

    Questions is a plural count noun and the sentence makes a comparison. Fewer is the comparative choice that fits.

    Based on: Original independent grammar exercise; the reference is for further grammar study, not the source of this sentence or an official PSC answer.

    Official reference ↗

22. Fictional workplace note — original exercise. [1] This printer [2] is available [3] to Karim and I [4] during the workshop.

    In the printer-access note, which segment needs to be corrected?

    1. [1] This printer
    2. [2] is available
    3. [3] to Karim and I
    4. [4] during the workshop.
    Show answer and explanation

    Correct answer: [3] to Karim and I

    Correction: “to Karim and me”. The pronoun is an object of to, so the coordinated phrase requires me, not I.

    Based on: Original independent grammar exercise; the reference is for further grammar study, not the source of this sentence or an official PSC answer.

    Official reference ↗

23. Complete: The results of yesterday’s survey ____ available this morning.

    1. was
    2. were
    3. is
    4. am
    Show answer and explanation

    Correct answer: were

    Results is a plural subject. Were is the only offered finite past form agreeing with it in this completed time context.

    Based on: Original independent grammar exercise; the reference is for further grammar study, not the source of this sentence or an official PSC answer.

    Official reference ↗

24. Complete: These folders are ____, not the supplier’s.

    1. our
    2. us
    3. ourselves
    4. ours
    Show answer and explanation

    Correct answer: ours

    The sentence needs an independent possessive pronoun after are. Ours stands alone; our requires a following noun.

    Based on: Original independent grammar exercise; the reference is for further grammar study, not the source of this sentence or an official PSC answer.

    Official reference ↗

25. Complete: The coordinator will ____ the access code tomorrow.

    1. confirms
    2. confirm
    3. confirmed
    4. confirming
    Show answer and explanation

    Correct answer: confirm

    A modal such as will is followed by the base verb confirm, without an -s or participle ending.

    Based on: Original independent grammar exercise; the reference is for further grammar study, not the source of this sentence or an official PSC answer.

    Official reference ↗

26. Fictional workplace note — original exercise. [1] Your draft [2] contains fewer pages [3] than our [4] but keeps every table.

    Locate the grammatical error in the draft-length comparison.

    1. [1] Your draft
    2. [2] contains fewer pages
    3. [3] than our
    4. [4] but keeps every table.
    Show answer and explanation

    Correct answer: [3] than our

    Correction: “than ours”. The comparison needs the independent possessive ours, meaning our draft. Our alone requires a noun.

    Based on: Original independent grammar exercise; the reference is for further grammar study, not the source of this sentence or an official PSC answer.

    Official reference ↗

27. Complete: The office ____ the training takes place is upstairs.

    1. where
    2. who
    3. whose
    4. which
    Show answer and explanation

    Correct answer: where

    Where expresses the location of the training. Which alone would leave the clause without the preposition needed to connect the place.

    Based on: Original independent grammar exercise; the reference is for further grammar study, not the source of this sentence or an official PSC answer.

    Official reference ↗

28. Complete: Please ____ the invitation before the registration deadline.

    1. accept
    2. except
    3. accepts
    4. accepting
    Show answer and explanation

    Correct answer: accept

    The imperative requires accept, meaning agree to receive or take part. Except expresses exclusion and is the wrong word.

    Based on: Original independent grammar exercise; the reference is for further grammar study, not the source of this sentence or an official PSC answer.

    Official reference ↗

29. Complete: The employee ____ badge was damaged requested a replacement.

    1. whose
    2. who
    3. whom
    4. where
    Show answer and explanation

    Correct answer: whose

    Whose introduces possession: the badge belongs to the employee. The relative clause needs that possessive link.

    Based on: Original independent grammar exercise; the reference is for further grammar study, not the source of this sentence or an official PSC answer.

    Official reference ↗

30. Complete: Please ____ the revised agenda before lunch.

    1. send
    2. sent
    3. sending
    4. sends
    Show answer and explanation

    Correct answer: send

    An imperative uses the base form send. Please makes the instruction polite but does not change that verb form.

    Based on: Original independent grammar exercise; the reference is for further grammar study, not the source of this sentence or an official PSC answer.

    Official reference ↗

31. Complete: These two proposals ____ ready for comparison.

    1. are
    2. is
    3. am
    4. be
    Show answer and explanation

    Correct answer: are

    These two proposals is explicitly plural. Are agrees with that subject in a present-tense statement.

    Based on: Original independent grammar exercise; the reference is for further grammar study, not the source of this sentence or an official PSC answer.

    Official reference ↗

32. Complete: Employees should check ____ schedules before accepting a shift.

    1. there
    2. they’re
    3. their
    4. theirs
    Show answer and explanation

    Correct answer: their

    Their is the possessive determiner modifying schedules. There marks a place, they’re is they are, and theirs cannot directly modify the noun.

    Based on: Original independent grammar exercise; the reference is for further grammar study, not the source of this sentence or an official PSC answer.

    Official reference ↗

33. Fictional workplace note — original exercise. [1] The two badges [2] on the counter [3] needs replacement [4] before the visit.

    Identify the error in the note about damaged badges.

    1. [1] The two badges
    2. [2] on the counter
    3. [3] needs replacement
    4. [4] before the visit.
    Show answer and explanation

    Correct answer: [3] needs replacement

    Correction: “need replacement”. The plural head badges takes need. The singular counter in a modifier does not control agreement.

    Based on: Original independent grammar exercise; the reference is for further grammar study, not the source of this sentence or an official PSC answer.

    Official reference ↗

34. Complete: The safety notice must ____ before the room opens.

    1. posted
    2. posting
    3. posts
    4. be posted
    Show answer and explanation

    Correct answer: be posted

    The subject notice receives the action. The passive after must needs be plus past participle: be posted.

    Based on: Original independent grammar exercise; the reference is for further grammar study, not the source of this sentence or an official PSC answer.

    Official reference ↗

35. Complete: Lina is responsible ____ checking the room after each session.

    1. at
    2. for
    3. with
    4. from
    Show answer and explanation

    Correct answer: for

    Responsible for is the construction linking a person to a task. The -ing task checking follows that preposition.

    Based on: Original independent grammar exercise; the reference is for further grammar study, not the source of this sentence or an official PSC answer.

    Official reference ↗