1. Intransitive verbs ______.
a.
direct their action toward a person or thing
b.
require a direct object to complete their meaning
c.
do not require a direct object to complete their meaning
c
meaning.
1
Moderate
BENG.GUFF.17.5-1 – 5-1
United States – BUSPROG.BENG.GUFF.17.6.4 – DISC.BENG.GUFF.17.6.4
Types of Verbs
BLOOM’S: Knowledge
2. All of the following sentences use transitive verbs except _____
a.
b.
c.
b
1
Moderate
BENG.GUFF.17.5-1 – 5-1
United States – BUSPROG.BENG.GUFF.17.6.7 – DISC.BENG.GUFF.17.6.7
Types of Verbs
BLOOM’S: Application
3. In the sentence Some supervisors are too autocratic, the word autocratic is a(n) ____.
a.
object
b.
subject
c.
complement
c
and is a noun, pronoun, or adjective that renames or describes the subject (supervisors).
1
Easy
BENG.GUFF.17.5-1 – 5-1
United States – BUSPROG.BENG.GUFF.17.6.7 – DISC.BENG.GUFF.17.6.7
Types of Verbs
BLOOM’S: Application
4. In the sentence We were hoping for an increase in revenue, the verb were is ____.
a.
transitive
b.
intransitive
c.
linking
d.
helping
d
1
Easy
BENG.GUFF.17.5-1 – 5-1
United States – BUSPROG.BENG.GUFF.17.6.7 – DISC.BENG.GUFF.17.6.7
Types of Verbs
BLOOM’S: Application
5. Which statement about passive voice is correct?
a.
Passive voice emphasizes the doer of the action.
b.
Passive voice is called the voice of business.
c.
Passive-voice verbs direct an action by the subject toward the object of a verb.
d.
Passive-voice verbs direct an action toward the subject.
d
voice of business.
1
Moderate
BENG.GUFF.17.5-2 – 5-2
United States – BUSPROG.BENG.GUFF.17.6.4 – DISC.BENG.GUFF.17.6.4
Verb Voices
BLOOM’S: Comprehension
6. All of the following sentences use active-voice verbs except ____
a.
CEOs are paid an average annual salary of $10.5 million.
b.
Madelyn voiced her concerns about the proposed merger at the all-staff meeting.
c.
Many individuals ordered products from our new website.
a
sentence the verb (paid) is preceded by the helping verb are, and the action is directed toward
1
Moderate
BENG.GUFF.17.5-2 – 5-2
United States – BUSPROG.BENG.GUFF.17.6.7 – DISC.BENG.GUFF.17.6.7
Verb Voices
BLOOM’S: Application
7. (Present tense) Keshawn ____ all payroll for our company.
a.
calculates
b.
will calculate
c.
calculated
a
action. Present-tense verbs may also be used in constructions showing future action.
1
Easy
BENG.GUFF.17.5-3 – 5-3
United States – BUSPROG.BENG.GUFF.17.6.7 – DISC.BENG.GUFF.17.6.7
Primary Tenses
BLOOM’S: Application
8. (Past tense) The idea ____ to me as I was lying in bed.
a.
occurs
b.
occurred
c.
occured
b
1
Easy
BENG.GUFF.17.5-3 – 5-3
United States – BUSPROG.BENG.GUFF.17.6.7 – DISC.BENG.GUFF.17.6.7
Primary Tenses
BLOOM’S: Application
9. (Future tense) Logitech Industries ____ its new CEO on Monday.
a.
announces
b.
announced
c.
will announce
c
helper. Therefore, use will announce in this sentence to show future tense.
1
Easy
BENG.GUFF.17.5-3 – 5-3
United States – BUSPROG.BENG.GUFF.17.6.7 – DISC.BENG.GUFF.17.6.7
Primary Tenses
BLOOM’S: Application
10. Which sentence contains the past participle of the regular verb edit?
a.
Chloe is editing an important letter for a major client.
b.
Chloe edits many letters at the same time.
c.
Chloe edited the letter on Friday.
d.
Chloe has edited many documents for her employer.
d
1
Easy
BENG.GUFF.17.5-4 – 5-4
United States – BUSPROG.BENG.GUFF.17.6.7 – DISC.BENG.GUFF.17.6.7
Present and Past Participles
BLOOM’S: Application
11. Which sentence contains a gerund?
a.
Nathan was downloading the latest antivirus software on his computer.
b.
Her résumé needed updating.
c.
The account representative is considering a transfer to the Chicago area.
b
1
Moderate
BENG.GUFF.17.5-4 – 5-4
United States – BUSPROG.BENG.GUFF.17.6.7 – DISC.BENG.GUFF.17.6.7
Verbals
BLOOM’S: Application
12. No one objects to ____ taking a break, but we do object when you take twice the time as the rest of us.
a.
you’re
b.
you
c.
your
c
possessive pronoun your.
1
Easy
BENG.GUFF.17.5-4 – 5-4
United States – BUSPROG.BENG.GUFF.17.6.7 – DISC.BENG.GUFF.17.6.7
Verbals
BLOOM’S: Application
13. To avoid becoming the victim of identity theft, ____ visit only reputable online retail sites.
a.
be sure to
b.
be sure and
a
1
Easy
BENG.GUFF.17.5-4 – 5-4
United States – BUSPROG.BENG.GUFF.17.6.7 – DISC.BENG.GUFF.17.6.7
Verbals
BLOOM’S: Application
14. Study this sentence: Seeing his error too late, the e-mail was sent before the file was attached by Matt.
a.
The sentence contains a logically placed verbal phrase.
b.
The sentence has a verbal phrase placed illogically.
b
reading an introductory verbal phrase, ask the question Who? The answer to this question
1
Easy
15. If I ____ you, I would tell your boss the truth about your upcoming job interview with another company.
a.
was
b.
were
b
1
Easy
16. She couldn’t have ____ that her assistant was embezzling funds.
a.
knew
b.
known
b
1
Easy
17. After she had ____ to the meeting, we located the missing report.
a.
gone
b.
went
a
verb.
1
Easy
BENG.GUFF.17.5-7 – 5-7
United States – BUSPROG.BENG.GUFF.17.6.6 – DISC.BENG.GUFF.17.6.6
United States – BUSPROG.BENG.GUFF.17.6.7 – DISC.BENG.GUFF.17.6.7
Irregular Verbs
BLOOM’S: Application
18. Which sentence is correct?
a.
Have you spoke with your supervisor about your desire to telecommute?
b.
The number of consumers using dial-up access to the Internet has shrank as the number of wireless customers
has grown.
c.
Mai began the company’s campaign to implement diversity awareness among the employees.
c
1
Moderate
BENG.GUFF.17.5-7 – 5-7
United States – BUSPROG.BENG.GUFF.17.6.7 – DISC.BENG.GUFF.17.6.7
Irregular Verbs
BLOOM’S: Application
19. Did you see who was______ near the CEO at the banquet?
a.
sitting
b.
setting
a
this verb means “to rest.”
1
Easy
BENG.GUFF.17.5-7 – 5-7
United States – BUSPROG.BENG.GUFF.17.6.6 – DISC.BENG.GUFF.17.6.6
United States – BUSPROG.BENG.GUFF.17.6.7 – DISC.BENG.GUFF.17.6.7
Three Pairs of Frequently Misused Irregular Verbs
BLOOM’S: Application
20. Mallory plans to ____ down for a quick nap before her guests arrive.
a.
lay
b.
lie
b
its meaning.
1
Easy
21. Blogs have ______ an important marketing tool for many businesses.
a.
become
b.
became
a
1
Easy
22. The ____ reason for the layoffs was to save money.
a.
principal
b.
principle
a
1
Easy
23. Which sentence is correct?
a.
Reaching into the desk drawer, the favorite pen was found.
b.
Reaching into the desk drawer, she found her favorite pen.
b
the word it modifies (she).
1
Easy
BENG.GUFF.17.N/A – N/A
United States – BUSPROG.BENG.GUFF.17.6.7 – DISC.BENG.GUFF.17.6.7
FAQs About Business English
BLOOM’S: Application
24. Which sentence is correct?
a.
If you pay in cash, you will receive a 10 percent off discount.
b.
Shelby received a travel bag as a free gift with her computer purchase.
c.
During our anniversary sale, customers will receive a special 5 percent discount on their purchases.
c
1
Easy
BENG.GUFF.17.N/A – N/A
United States – BUSPROG.BENG.GUFF.17.6.7 – DISC.BENG.GUFF.17.6.7
FAQs About Business English
BLOOM’S: Application
25. No one can predict what ____ the decline in stock price will have on sales.
a.
affect
b.
effect
b
on the other hand, is a verb meaning “to influence” or “to pretend or imitate.”
1
Easy
BENG.GUFF.17.N/A – N/A
26. In the sentence The CEO, as well as the division managers, attended the conference in New Orleans, the simple
subject is ______.
a.
conference
b.
managers
c.
CEO
d.
New Orleans
c
1
Moderate
27. In the sentence Here are the reports from the four ongoing construction projects, the simple subject is ______.
a.
Here
b.
reports
c.
projects
b
1
Moderate
28. A list of netiquette rules ____ available for all corporate e-mail users.
a.
is
b.
are
c.
were
a
subject.
1
Easy
BENG.GUFF.17.6-1 – 6-1
United States – BUSPROG.BENG.GUFF.17.6.7 – DISC.BENG.GUFF.17.6.7
Locating Subjects
BLOOM’S: Application
29. Podcasting, along with blogs and wikis, ____ gaining in popularity.
a.
are
b.
have been
c.
were
d.
is
d
singular, select is.
1
Easy
BENG.GUFF.17.6-1 – 6-1
United States – BUSPROG.BENG.GUFF.17.6.7 – DISC.BENG.GUFF.17.6.7
Locating Subjects
BLOOM’S: Application
30. There ____ three individuals interested in the comptroller position.
a.
is
b.
are
c.
was
b
1
Easy
BENG.GUFF.17.6-1 – 6-1
United States – BUSPROG.BENG.GUFF.17.1.5 – DISC.BENG.GUFF.17.1.5
31. Joining the CEO at the seminar ____ the CFO.
a.
are
b.
is
b
1
Easy
32. Much time and effort ____ needed to customize my résumé for the job opening.
a.
was
b.
were
b
1
Easy
33. Wendy’s ____ well-known for its square hamburgers.
a.
are
b.
is
b
1
Easy
United States – BUSPROG.BENG.GUFF.17.6.6 – DISC.BENG.GUFF.17.6.6
United States – BUSPROG.BENG.GUFF.17.6.7 – DISC.BENG.GUFF.17.6.7
Basic Rules for Subject-Verb Agreement
BLOOM’S: Application
34. Which sentence uses verbs correctly?
a.
We recently heard that economy carrier Clear Skies Airlines are expanding its service to the Midwest.
b.
Although published in 1992, Men Are From Mars, Women Are From Venus still remains a popular nonfiction
book.
c.
The Los Angeles Dodgers have raised ticket and concession prices every year.
b
1
Moderate
BENG.GUFF.17.6-2 – 6-2
United States – BUSPROG.BENG.GUFF.17.6.6 – DISC.BENG.GUFF.17.6.6
United States – BUSPROG.BENG.GUFF.17.6.7 – DISC.BENG.GUFF.17.6.7
Basic Rules for Subject-Verb Agreement
BLOOM’S: Application
35. Neither the supervisor nor employees ____ willing to work overtime.
a.
was
b.
has been
c.
is
d.
were
d
When two or more subjects (supervisor, employees) are joined by or or nor, the verb should
agree with the closer subject. Because the closer subject is the plural employees, use were.
1
Easy
BENG.GUFF.17.6-3 – 6-3
United States – BUSPROG.BENG.GUFF.17.6.6 – DISC.BENG.GUFF.17.6.6
United States – BUSPROG.BENG.GUFF.17.6.7 – DISC.BENG.GUFF.17.6.7
Special Rules for Subject-Verb Agreement
BLOOM’S: Application
36. Everyone but the vice president and marketing manager ____ the new team structure is promising.
a.
think
b.
thinks
b
requiring the singular verb thinks.
1
Easy
BENG.GUFF.17.6-4 – 6-4
United States – BUSPROG.BENG.GUFF.17.6.7 – DISC.BENG.GUFF.17.6.7
Special Rules for Subject-Verb Agreement
BLOOM’S: Application
37. ____ of the proposals can help our organization increase revenue.
a.
Anyone
b.
Any-one
c.
Any one
c
followed by an of phrase (of the proposals).
1
Easy
BENG.GUFF.17.6-4 – 6-4
United States – BUSPROG.BENG.GUFF.17.6.7 – DISC.BENG.GUFF.17.6.7
Special Rules for Subject-Verb Agreement
BLOOM’S: Application
38. Many of the employees ____ with the new reorganization.
a.
agree
b.
agrees
a
Plural indefinite pronouns (Many) require plural verbs (agree).
1
Easy
BENG.GUFF.17.6-4 – 6-4
United States – BUSPROG.BENG.GUFF.17.6.7 – DISC.BENG.GUFF.17.6.7
Special Rules for Subject-Verb Agreement
BLOOM’S: Application
39. Some of our employees ____ using social networking sites to communicate with clients.
a.
are
b.
is
c.
was
a
the plural verb are.
1
Easy
BENG.GUFF.17.6-4 – 6-4
United States – BUSPROG.BENG.GUFF.17.6.7 – DISC.BENG.GUFF.17.6.7
Special Rules for Subject-Verb Agreement
BLOOM’S: Application
40. Our committee of salespeople and advertisers ____ to have agreed on the new ad campaign.
a.
appear
b.
appears
b
When a collective noun (committee) functions as a single unit, use a singular verb (appears).
1
Easy
BENG.GUFF.17.6-4 – 6-4
United States – BUSPROG.BENG.GUFF.17.6.7 – DISC.BENG.GUFF.17.6.7
Special Rules for Subject-Verb Agreement
BLOOM’S: Application
41. Which sentence is correct?
a.
Either of the two candidates for the position are acceptable.
b.
Everyone of the employees working on the project are able to access the electronic files.
c.
Every one of the interviewees is willing to take a drug test.
c
two words when followed by an of phrase.
1
Moderate
BENG.GUFF.17.6-4 – 6-4
United States – BUSPROG.BENG.GUFF.17.6.7 – DISC.BENG.GUFF.17.6.7
Special Rules for Subject-Verb Agreement
42. The number of e-mail users worldwide ____ steadily growing.
a.
are
b.
is
b
1
Easy
43. One hundred dollars ____ needed to hold your hotel reservation.
a.
were
b.
are
c.
is
c
1
Easy
44. A large percentage of the student body ______ an increase in student fees.
a.
favor
b.
favors
b
1
Easy
45. When the job was posted, Isabel Nunez was one of the applicants who ______ fully qualified as a laboratory chemist.
a.
was
b.
were
b
1
Easy
46. Preparing for job interviews ______ a lot of time and hard work.
a.
take
b.
takes
b
1
Easy
47. The administrative assistants in our Human Resources Department are not only efficient but also ______.
a.
discreet
b.
discrete
a
1
Easy
48. I ____ remember the password for my LinkedIn account.
a.
can not
b.
cannot
c.
can–not
b
1
Easy
49. Only one individual should be recognized for outstanding customer service, ____, Reann Bertrand.
a.
e.g.
b.
i.e.
b
abbreviation.
1
Easy
50. During his job interview, Vaughn told the employer that he was very ______ to begin working for the company.
a.
anxious
b.
eager
b
1