Here are 20 sample multiple choice writing test questions along with correct answers and explanations. These cover grammar, sentence structure, punctuation, and style — common areas in standardized writing assessments like the SAT, ACT, or general English proficiency tests.
1. Which sentence is correctly punctuated?
A) She enjoys cooking, her family enjoys eating.
B) She enjoys cooking; her family enjoys eating.
C) She enjoys cooking: her family enjoys eating
D) She enjoys cooking her family enjoys eating.
✅ Answer: B
Explanation: Two independent clauses must be separated by a semicolon or a period.
2. Choose the sentence that uses correct subject-verb agreement.
A) The list of items are on the table.
B) The list of items is on the table.
C) The lists of item is on the table.
D) The list of items were on the table.
✅ Answer: B
Explanation: "List" is singular, so the verb should be "is."
3. Choose the sentence that is written in active voice.
A) The novel was read by the entire class.
B) The entire class read the novel.
C) The novel had been read by the entire class.
D) The novel is being read by the class.
✅ Answer: B
Explanation: In active voice, the subject performs the action.
4. Which option best combines the following sentences?
The project was difficult. We finished it on time.
A) Although the project was difficult, we finished it on time.
B) The project was difficult, and finished it on time.
C) Difficult the project was, we finished it on time.
D) We finished the difficult project on time.
✅ Answer: A
Explanation: "Although" correctly links the contrasting ideas.
5. Choose the correctly spelled word.
A) Recieve
B) Receive
C) Receeve
D) Recive
✅ Answer: B
Explanation: “I before E, except after C” — “Receive” is the correct spelling.
6. Which sentence is free of grammatical errors?
A) Him and I went to the store.
B) Me and him went to the store.
C) He and I went to the store.
D) He and me went to the store.
✅ Answer: C
Explanation: Use subject pronouns “he” and “I” in the subject position.
7. Which sentence uses the correct pronoun?
A) Each of the boys brought their own lunch.
B) Everyone brought their own lunch.
C) Each of the boys brought his own lunch.
D) Somebody brought their own lunch.
✅ Answer: C
Explanation: “Each” is singular and requires a singular pronoun — "his."
8. What is the best revision of this sentence?
There was many issues in the report.
A) There were many issues in the report.
B) There was many issue in the report.
C) There were many issue in the report.
D) There are many issues in the report.
✅ Answer: A
Explanation: “Issues” is plural, so the correct verb is “were.”
9. Which version of the sentence avoids redundancy?
He made a new innovation that was entirely original.
A) He made an original innovation.
B) He made a new original innovation.
C) He innovated something new.
D) He made a new innovation that was original.
✅ Answer: A
Explanation: “Innovation” implies something new and original.
10. Choose the sentence with correct comma usage.
A) She bought apples, oranges and bananas.
B) She bought apples, oranges, and bananas.
C) She bought, apples, oranges and bananas.
D) She bought apples oranges, and bananas.
✅ Answer: B
Explanation: The Oxford comma is correct and preferred in formal writing.
11. Which sentence contains a dangling modifier?
A) Walking through the park, the flowers looked beautiful.
B) While we walked through the park, we saw beautiful flowers.
C) We saw beautiful flowers while walking through the park.
D) Walking through the park, we saw beautiful flowers.
✅ Answer: A
Explanation: It incorrectly suggests that the flowers were walking.
12. What is the correct verb tense?
_By the time we arrived, the movie ___.
A) start
B) had started
C) have started
D) will start
✅ Answer: B
Explanation: Past perfect “had started” is used for an action completed before another past action.
13. Choose the sentence with correct parallel structure.
A) She likes to swim, jogging, and biking.
B) She likes swimming, to jog, and to bike.
C) She likes swimming, jogging, and biking.
D) She likes to swim, to jogging, and biking.
✅ Answer: C
Explanation: All elements are in the gerund form: swimming, jogging, biking.
14. Which sentence uses the colon correctly?
A) She has three favorite foods: pizza, sushi, and ice cream.
B) She has: three favorite foods pizza, sushi, and ice cream.
C) She has, three favorite foods: pizza, sushi and ice cream.
D) She: has three favorite foods, pizza, sushi, and ice cream.
✅ Answer: A
Explanation: The colon introduces a list and follows a complete sentence.
15. What is the correct form of the word?
That was the ____ performance of the evening.
A) most amazingest
B) more amazing
C) amazingest
D) most amazing
✅ Answer: D
Explanation: “Most amazing” is the correct superlative form.
16. Which of the following sentences is correct?
A) Its going to rain later today.
B) It’s going to rain later today.
C) Its’ going to rain later today.
D) Its going rain later today.
✅ Answer: B
Explanation: “It’s” = “it is”; correct contraction.
17. Which is a sentence fragment?
A) After the storm ended.
B) We went outside.
C) The sun came out.
D) The children played in the yard.
✅ Answer: A
Explanation: It’s a dependent clause and does not form a complete sentence.
18. Choose the correctly capitalized title.
A) The Great Gatsby
B) The great gatsby
C) the Great Gatsby
D) The Great gatsby
✅ Answer: A
Explanation: All major words in a title are capitalized.
19. Choose the correct word:
I can't believe how quickly she ran ____ the street.
A) across
B) accross
C) acros
D) akross
✅ Answer: A
Explanation: “Across” is the correct spelling.
20. Identify the sentence with the correct use of an apostrophe.
A) The cat licked it’s paw.
B) The cats’ bowl is empty.
C) Its’ time for dinner.
D) The books cover is red.
✅ Answer: B
Explanation: “Cats’” is possessive; the bowl belongs to the cat(s).
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