PSC SLE English Writing: Workplace word choice and prepositions

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 supplier has changed ____ delivery schedule.

   1. it’s
   2. itself
   3. it
   4. its
   Show answer and explanation

   Correct answer: its

   Its is the possessive determiner before delivery schedule. It’s means it is or it has and cannot fill this position.

   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. 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 ↗

3. 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 ↗

4. Complete: The guideline rests on the ____ of equal access.

   1. principal
   2. principally
   3. principle
   4. principals
   Show answer and explanation

   Correct answer: principle

   Principle names a rule or underlying idea. Principal usually names a leader or means main, neither of which fits this noun phrase.

   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: The closure was caused solely by the snowstorm. The meeting was postponed ____ that storm.

   1. because of
   2. although
   3. rather than
   4. in spite of
   Show answer and explanation

   Correct answer: because of

   Because of introduces the stated cause followed by a noun phrase. The preceding sentence explicitly identifies the storm as the cause.

   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: 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 ↗

7. Complete: The interview starts ____ nine o’clock tomorrow morning.

   1. on
   2. in
   3. by
   4. at
   Show answer and explanation

   Correct answer: at

   At marks the exact starting time. By would indicate a deadline rather than the time at which the interview starts.

   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. 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 ↗

9. Complete: Please file the records in accordance ____ the retention schedule.

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

   Correct answer: with

   The fixed expression is in accordance with. The preposition with connects the action to the applicable schedule.

   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. Complete: Several employees are interested ____ attending the workshop.

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

    Correct answer: in

    Interested in is followed by the activity attending. The other prepositions do not complete this expression 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 ↗

11. Complete: A delay in delivery could ____ the launch date.

    1. affect
    2. effect
    3. effects
    4. affects
    Show answer and explanation

    Correct answer: affect

    The base verb affect means influence and follows could. Effect as a verb means bring about, which does not express the stated influence on an existing date.

    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. 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 ↗

13. 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 ↗

14. 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 ↗