This second sentence completion test contains 25 multiple choice questions on the topic of sentence completion of the English language. Both English learners and ESL teachers can use this online exercise as a revision to check the knowledge of sentence completion.
Sentence Completion Advanced Level Test 2
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Question 1 |
When all the candidates had shown up, _____.
they've all been wondering who would win | |
all the onlookers are waiting in great suspense | |
the leader of the majority party welcomed them | |
it will turn out that no party has a clear advantage | |
we should be able to arrive on time |
Question 1 Explanation:
The time clause When all the candidates had shown up uses the past perfect, so the main clause needs a past tense: welcomed. The past perfect shows that the arrival came first and the welcome followed. The other options use present or future forms (they've been wondering, are waiting, will turn out, should be able), which do not fit this past narrative. The last option also has no logical link to the candidates.
Question 2 |
The police are looking for someone _____.
that they can get married without great expense | |
when they're certain that they'll be able to catch the criminals | |
which is an efficient way of investigation | |
with whom they can collaborate on finding the thieves | |
whether they've been inaugurated or not |
Question 2 Explanation:
Someone needs a relative clause to describe the person. With whom they can collaborate is a formal relative clause with the preposition placed before whom (= someone they can collaborate with). It also makes sense with the police. Not which is an efficient way…: which cannot refer to a person, and the meaning does not fit.
Question 3 |
Unfortunately, perhaps, some of us are now developing an understanding of one aspect of multiculturalism _____.
that develop a much more beneficial and socially active members of society | |
if it is necessary to understand more fully the real meaning of multiculturalism | |
thus we can understand that multiculturalism is not just about ethnic differences but much more | |
which we may mistakenly believe sums up the whole concept | |
therefore it can be seen as appropriate for all situations |
Question 3 Explanation:
The gap needs a relative clause that describes one aspect of multiculturalism. Which we may mistakenly believe sums up the whole concept does this, and it links to Unfortunately, perhaps: we understand only one aspect and wrongly think it is the whole idea. Options with thus or therefore would create a comma splice, because they start a new independent clause without proper punctuation or a conjunction.
Question 4 |
_____, go ahead and start without me.
Under the bush lay the body of the actor | |
If I'd known that you weren't going to come | |
Should I not get there on time | |
As if he was unknown to everyone there | |
Although the case was explained properly |
Question 4 Explanation:
Should I not get there on time is an inverted first conditional, a formal way of saying If I don't get there on time. It fits the imperative go ahead and start without me. Not If I'd known…: this is a third conditional about the past, and it cannot be followed by an instruction about the future.
Question 5 |
It was obvious that the response which I gave to his question was not _____.
what he'd expected to hear | |
which one cares for | |
to whom I'd spoken | |
that he tells his family | |
whose student will give |
Question 5 Explanation:
After was not, we need a noun clause as the complement. What he'd expected to hear means the thing that he had expected to hear. The past perfect he'd expected fits because the expectation came before the response. The other options are relative clauses with no noun to refer to, or they use the wrong tense (tells, will give).
Question 6 |
_____ but he claimed he himself was infallible too.
No sooner had he turned on the computer | |
Not only did Jason believe that his rude behaviour was normal | |
Hardly had any of us seen such an arrogant man | |
Were he not so selfish and mean | |
Had the assassination attempt succeeded |
Question 6 Explanation:
Not only at the start of a clause takes inversion (did Jason believe), and it pairs with but … too/also in the second half: Not only did he believe X, but he claimed Y too. The given second half begins with but, so only this option completes the pattern. Not No sooner had…: that pattern needs than. Not Hardly had…: that pattern needs when.
Question 7 |
The spacecraft, having been melted by the high surface temperature of Venus, _____.
stopped transmitting radio signals | |
will have halted on its way home | |
which launched the wrong missile | |
get frozen | |
it could be the same person as I saw at the meeting |
Question 7 Explanation:
The subject The spacecraft is followed by a participle phrase between commas, so the gap needs the main verb. Stopped transmitting radio signals is the logical past result of being melted. Not which launched…: a relative clause gives no main verb. Not get frozen: the verb doesn't agree with the subject, and it contradicts the meaning.
Question 8 |
_____ Dian Fossey was never able to complete her studies of the great apes.
Since she has great achievements in biology, | |
However slow and weak she has proved, | |
What an exceptionally clever woman she was, | |
So intelligent and hardworking was she that | |
Although she spent several years alone and undistracted in the African jungle, |
Question 8 Explanation:
The main clause says she was never able to complete her studies, so the gap needs a contrast. Although she spent several years alone and undistracted… gives one: she had the time and focus, yet she still could not finish. Not So intelligent and hardworking was she that: this inverted structure needs a result, and the sentence would wrongly repeat the subject (she … Dian Fossey). The other options have the wrong tense (has proved, has great achievements) or are exclamations that cannot introduce a clause.
Question 9 |
_____, with the help of good and effective strategies, teachers can create very productive groups and minimize the students' misbehaviour.
Although there might be many problems resulting from classroom management | |
On the other hand, inappropriate angry teacher's response creates tension | |
If the teacher always asked the questions to the same students | |
Due to the arrangement of the wrong seating patterns | |
What is startling about this test is |
Question 9 Explanation:
The main clause makes a positive point: teachers can create very productive groups. The gap needs a concessive clause that admits a difficulty first. Although there might be many problems… sets up this contrast. The other options are either complete clauses that cannot join the sentence without a conjunction (On the other hand, … creates tension), or a conditional and a cause that don't fit the meaning or the tense.
Question 10 |
Stephen Hawking, along with his university professor, who was not teaching at the time, _____.
will have to endure some financial crises | |
it's really difficult to experience the power of light | |
winning the prize given by the government | |
have more opportunities than his colleagues in science | |
published an important scientific paper early in his career |
Question 10 Explanation:
The subject is Stephen Hawking. The phrases along with his university professor and who was not teaching at the time are extra information, so the gap needs a singular main verb: published. Not have more opportunities…: a phrase with along with does not make the subject plural, so have doesn't agree with Hawking. Winning… has no finite verb, and it's really difficult… repeats the subject with a new clause.
Question 11 |
_____ which realistically portrayed life on farms in Midwestern America.
Hamlin Garland, a writer who grew up in the Midwest, wrote a number of books | |
One of the followers of Charles Dickens was even bitterer | |
William Dean Howells was one of the most significant figures of criticism | |
They decided to shoot the film in a shop | |
The poisonous, plantlike anemone lives in a coral reef |
Question 11 Explanation:
The gap ends with which realistically portrayed life on farms, so it needs a noun that which can describe, and books sits right before it. Hamlin Garland … wrote a number of books which realistically portrayed… is grammatical and makes sense. In the other options, which would refer to the wrong thing, such as a critic, a shop or a reef.
Question 12 |
Drawing from his published and unpublished work, _____.
The Chomsky Reader reveals the awesome range of this ever-critical mind—from global questions of war and peace to the most intricate questions of human intelligence, IQ, and creativity | |
her admiration for the contemporary writers never faded | |
there were many writers in that period | |
capitalism have been inherent in Western Society | |
Soviet writings are still available to U. S. audiences |
Question 12 Explanation:
The opening participle phrase Drawing from his published and unpublished work must describe the subject of the main clause. The Chomsky Reader can logically draw on Chomsky's work, and his refers to Chomsky. In the other options the subject could not be 'drawing from his work' (her admiration, there were many writers), so the participle would dangle. Capitalism have been also has a subject–verb agreement error.
Question 13 |
Teachers frequently become so engrossed in working with a specific group or an individual student _____.
however, they try to change the groups | |
that they fail to notice the potential problems stemming from the frustrated ones | |
no matter what the student thinks they go on giving much more homework | |
where they learn efficiently | |
in order to make them love the environment |
Question 13 Explanation:
So + adjective (so engrossed) is completed by a that-clause of result: so engrossed … that they fail to notice…. Being too focused on one group explains why teachers miss problems elsewhere. None of the other options completes the so … that pattern.
Question 14 |
Except for the special circumstance in which historians record events they themselves have witnessed, _____.
historical facts can only be known through intermediary sources | |
these include testimony from narrative records, such as previous histories, memoirs, and letters | |
technology has the goal of creating and improving systems to satisfy human wants or aspirations | |
there are two ways a university student can gather scientific information | |
the evidence might have been biased, mistaken or fragmentary |
Question 14 Explanation:
The phrase Except for the case where historians witness events themselves needs a main clause about all other cases. Historical facts can only be known through intermediary sources gives the logical contrast: direct witness versus second-hand sources. Not these include testimony…: these has nothing to refer to. Not the evidence might have been biased…: it doesn't complete the 'except' contrast.
Question 15 |
_____ where the Wisconsin River cuts through soft sandstone.
The strange formations that have been carved out | |
The Wisconsin Dells is in the region | |
The pets have names such as Devil's Elbow, Grand Piano and Fat Man's Misery | |
The rocks that delight so many tourists | |
Abraham Lincoln was chosen president |
Question 15 Explanation:
The where-clause needs a noun of place to describe. The Wisconsin Dells is in the region where the river cuts through soft sandstone gives region + where, a complete and logical sentence. Not The strange formations that have been carved out or The rocks that delight so many tourists: these are noun phrases with no main verb, so the sentence is incomplete.
Question 16 |
We have all heard of the dangers of global warming and the greenhouse effect, _____.
whereas animals breathe in oxygen and breathe out carbon dioxide | |
so there must have been a chain of some positive events beginning with the Greenpeace | |
now that we've finished all the reports by deadline | |
and it's common knowledge that this is caused mainly by the build-up of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere | |
which resulted from the endeavouring and efficient studies of environmentalists |
Question 16 Explanation:
The sentence starts with something widely known (We have all heard of…). And it's common knowledge that this is caused mainly by the build-up of carbon dioxide adds a related, equally well-known fact, and this refers back to global warming. Not which resulted from the … studies of environmentalists: studies do not cause global warming, so the meaning is illogical.
Question 17 |
Leaves are found on all deciduous trees, _____.
since firs and pines were evergreens | |
although cactus doesn't have any leaves | |
but they differ greatly in size and shape | |
and they would do away with the insects | |
that is also called green leaf tree |
Question 17 Explanation:
But introduces a contrast: all deciduous trees have leaves, but they differ greatly in size and shape. Not since firs and pines were evergreens: the past tense is wrong, and evergreens do not explain anything about deciduous trees. Not although cactus doesn't have any leaves: cacti are not trees, so the contrast doesn't work.
Question 18 |
The Wasatch Range, which is a part of the Rocky Mountains, _____.
extends from southeastern Idaho into northern Utah | |
that a region in a Northern state | |
whose members were coming from a strict religious sect | |
connect many of the world's businesses, institutions, and individuals through internet | |
Ruth St. Denis turned to Asian dances to find inspiration |
Question 18 Explanation:
The subject The Wasatch Range is followed by a non-defining relative clause between commas, so the gap needs a singular main verb: extends from southeastern Idaho into northern Utah. Not connect many of the world's businesses…: the verb doesn't agree with the singular subject and the meaning doesn't fit. That a region… and whose members… give no main verb.
Question 19 |
Since leaving the presidency in 1981, _____.
Ronald Reagan to rest at home | |
Washington worked as a consultant for companies | |
Margaret had lost her temper | |
Jimmy Carter has taught at Emory University in Atlanta | |
we had been searching for a better job |
Question 19 Explanation:
Since + time point / -ing (Since leaving the presidency) is normally followed by the present perfect, which links a past starting point to a later period: has taught. The subject must also be the person who left the presidency. Not Washington worked…: the past simple doesn't fit since, and the fact is wrong. Not Margaret had lost… or we had been searching…: these subjects never left the presidency.
Question 20 |
Based on this study, _____.
the researchers tried to find out the ancient Egyptian writings | |
it's a resort city in Mediterranean | |
there are the newest types of bacteria | |
several conclusions could be drawn by the scientist | |
everyone enjoys this mild climate |
Question 20 Explanation:
Based on this study must describe something that can logically come from a study, and conclusions can. The natural collocation is draw conclusions (passive: conclusions could be drawn). Not there are the newest types of bacteria: bacteria are not 'based on' a study. Not the researchers tried to find out…: find out cannot take writings as an object.
Question 21 |
Unlike a box kite, a flat kite needs a tail to supply drag _____.
what happens almost every day | |
and to keep it pointed toward the sky | |
who makes one consisting of cloth strips tied end to end | |
where it's usually too hot or boiling to visit | |
in order to damage the kite and prevent flying |
Question 21 Explanation:
And joins two parallel infinitives of purpose: a tail is needed to supply drag and to keep it pointed toward the sky. Not in order to damage the kite and prevent flying: the grammar works, but the meaning contradicts the purpose of a tail.
Question 22 |
_____ what is said to me in the standard spoken language.
I can follow both familiar and unfamiliar topics in a conference | |
Some forms of presentation which use complex ideas | |
This book includes a detailed analytic account of the domains of language use and language learning | |
In addition to the versions of some other languages | |
I can understand in detail |
Question 22 Explanation:
The rest of the sentence, what is said to me…, is a noun clause, so it needs a subject and a verb that can take it as an object: I can understand (in detail) what is said to me. Not I can follow both familiar and unfamiliar topics…: that clause already has an object (topics), so it cannot take a second one.
Question 23 |
All the surviving accounts of Gautama Buddha's life were written many years _____.
before he was born in a small village of India | |
consequently, it's difficult to separate facts from the mass of myth | |
after his death by idealizing followers rather than by objective historians | |
when he was 20 years old | |
what is celebrated by the Buddhists as a turning point in history |
Question 23 Explanation:
Many years + after forms a time expression: many years after his death. The phrase by idealizing followers rather than by objective historians then tells us who wrote the accounts. Not before he was born: accounts of his life could not be written before his birth. Not when he was 20 years old: many years when is ungrammatical.
Question 24 |
_____ in order to protect health and for proper growth in children.
So long as the proteins create metabolically active enzymes | |
The fat-soluble vitamins are generally consumed along with fat-containing foods by the adults | |
What cannot be stored in the body and must be consumed frequently is | |
The intricate ways in which minerals act on the body | |
Vitamins are any of the organic compounds required by the body in small amounts for metabolism |
Question 24 Explanation:
The gap needs a complete clause that the purpose phrase in order to protect health and for proper growth can attach to. Vitamins are … compounds required by the body in small amounts for metabolism is complete, and its meaning matches the purpose. Not What cannot be stored … is: the verb is has no complement. The intricate ways… and So long as… leave the sentence without a main clause.
Question 25 |
Fuel gases consist principally of hydrocarbons, _____.
that is, of molecular compounds of carbon and hydrogen | |
why manufactured gas has an unpleasant smell | |
that are sometimes normally present in other gases | |
when drawn from gas deposits in the earth | |
before they reached a burner nozzle |
Question 25 Explanation:
That is (= in other words) introduces a definition. Here it repeats the preposition of to match consist … of hydrocarbons: that is, of molecular compounds of carbon and hydrogen. Not that are sometimes normally present…: a that-relative clause cannot follow a comma, and sometimes normally is contradictory.
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