1. A(n) ____ verb expresses an action directed toward a person or thing.
a.
intransitive
b.
transitive
c.
linking
d.
helping
b
1
Easy
2. Verbs whose meanings are complete without objects are ____.
a.
intransitive
b.
transitive
c.
linking
d.
helping
3. In the sentence Jon tweeted on his new Samsung smartphone, the verb tweeted is ____.
a.
transitive
b.
intransitive
c.
linking
d.
helping
b
1
Easy
Types of Verbs
BLOOM’S: Application
4. All of the following sentences use transitive verbs except ______
a.
Marian updated her Facebook status to inform her friends and family about her new job.
b.
After the business meeting, the office manager hosted a reception for the visiting representatives.
c.
Employees from the finance department worked diligently on the next year’s budget.
c
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
5. A noun, pronoun, or adjective that renames or describes the subject is called a ______.
a.
participle
b.
direct object
c.
gerund
d.
complement
d
1
Easy
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
6. In the sentence The employees with the most seniority are Rachel and Joe, the verb are is ____.
a.
transitive
b.
intransitive
c.
linking
d.
helping
c
subject (employees).
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
7. In the sentence All completed applications should be submitted to the human resources department, the verb be is ____.
a.
transitive
b.
intransitive
c.
linking
d.
helping
d
which can be action or linking, to form verb phrases (should be submitted).
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
8. Active-voice verbs ______.
a.
should be avoided in business writing
b.
direct the action of the verb toward the subject
c.
require at least one helping verb
d.
direct the action of the subject toward the object of a verb
d
communications strive to use the active voice.
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
9. All of the following sentences use active-voice verbs except ______
a.
The speaker gave his presentation at 10 a.m. on Tuesday.
b.
Our company was restructured to reduce middle-management positions.
c.
Darrin voiced his opinion about the company merger during the all-staff meeting.
b
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
10. (Present tense) Jeff ____ his followers on Twitter daily.
a.
checks
b.
will check
c.
checked
a
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
11. (Past tense) CompTechs ____ Tyler as the new IT networking software specialist.
a.
will hire
b.
hired
c.
hires
b
tense with the addition of d or ed. Therefore, the past tense of the regular verb hire is hired.
1
Easy
BENG.GUFF.17.5-3 – 5-3
United States – BUSPROG.BENG.GUFF.17.1.6 – DISC.BENG.GUFF.17.1.6
United States – BUSPROG.BENG.GUFF.17.6.7 – DISC.BENG.GUFF.17.6.7
Primary Tenses
BLOOM’S: Application
12. (Future tense) New staff members ____ an orientation on June 1.
a.
attend
b.
attended
c.
will attend
c
as the helper.
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
13. What _____ the names of the companies that contributed to last year’s United Way campaign?
a.
are
b.
were
c.
was
a
sentences with other past-tense verbs.
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
14. (Present tense) She ____ herself with great poise and confidence.
a.
carrys
b.
carries
c.
will carry
d.
carried
b
Verbs that end in y can pose a problem for many writers. Therefore, consult a good dictionary
form of this verb is carries.
1
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
15. Which sentence contains the past participle of the regular verb work?
a.
Juan is working on a big project for a major client.
b.
Juan works on many projects at the same time.
c.
Juan worked overtime last Friday.
d.
Juan had worked for his employer for six years.
d
1
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
16. Which sentence contains the present participle of the regular verb calculate?
a.
Christine is calculating the contract total.
b.
Christine calculates all figures carefully.
c.
Christine calculated all financial statement figures last week.
d.
Christine has calculated all previous statements with 100 percent accuracy.
present participle is Christine is calculating the contract total.
1
BENG.GUFF.17.5-4 – 5-4
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
Present and Past Participles
BLOOM’S: Application
17. Which sentence is best expressed?
a.
Being as gas prices are now increasing again, would you like to form a carpool?
b.
Because gas prices have increased so much, would you like to form a carpool?
c.
Being that gas prices have increased so much, would you like to form a carpool?
b
phrases incorporate being, being as, having been, or being that.
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
18. All gerunds end in ______.
a.
ier
b.
ing
c.
ed
d.
est
b
A gerund is a verb form ending in ing that is used as a noun.
1
Easy
BENG.GUFF.17.5-4 – 5-4
United States – BUSPROG.BENG.GUFF.17.6.4 – DISC.BENG.GUFF.17.6.4
Verbals
BLOOM’S: Knowledge
19. Which sentence contains a gerund?
a.
Exercising is not only my passion but also my favorite pastime.
b.
Bob was majoring in criminal justice at the Wilshire Academy.
c.
Kendra and Kyle were attending the conference in Salt Lake City.
a
1
Moderate
Verbals
20. I appreciate ____ writing of my letter of recommendation.
a.
your
b.
you
c.
you’re
a
1
Easy
Verbals
21. Be sure ____ handle customer complaints promptly.
a.
and
b.
to
b
1
Easy
Verbals
22. Which sentence is better expressed?
a.
We must try to, if we have time, visit the Holocaust Museum.
b.
If we have time, we must try to visit the Holocaust Museum.
b
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
23. Study this sentence: To apply for the scholarship, submit an essay and three letters of recommendation.
a.
This sentence contains a logically placed verbal phrase.
b.
This sentence has a verbal phrase placed illogically.
a
and modifies the proper word (you).
1
Easy
BENG.GUFF.17.5-5 – 5-5
United States – BUSPROG.BENG.GUFF.17.6.7 – DISC.BENG.GUFF.17.6.7
Avoiding Misplaced Verbal Modifiers
BLOOM’S: Application
24. Study this sentence: Reupholstered in real leather, Steve Hedenquist happily paid for his chair.
a.
This sentence contains a logically placed verbal phrase.
b.
This sentence has a verbal phrase placed illogically.
b
1
Easy
BENG.GUFF.17.5-5 – 5-5
United States – BUSPROG.BENG.GUFF.17.6.7 – DISC.BENG.GUFF.17.6.7
Avoiding Misplaced Verbal Modifiers
BLOOM’S: Application
25. Which sentence places modifiers correctly?
a.
Reaching an open seat in the sold-out arena, Sari breathed a sigh of relief.
b.
Dr. Greta Jones realized the patient’s spouse had beaten him during the examination.
c.
The students’ research papers were found by Professor Dittmer lying under his desk.
a
1
Moderate
BENG.GUFF.17.5-5 – 5-5
United States – BUSPROG.BENG.GUFF.17.6.7 – DISC.BENG.GUFF.17.6.7
Avoiding Misplaced Verbal Modifiers
BLOOM’S: Application
26. Which sentence is correct?
a.
To satisfy degree requirements, three math classes must be taken.
b.
While driving to work, the proposal deadline distracted me.
c.
By signing the contract, you agree to complete the work by April 1.
c
choices contain introductory verbal phrases that are not followed by logical subjects.
1
Moderate
BENG.GUFF.17.5-5 – 5-5
United States – BUSPROG.BENG.GUFF.17.6.7 – DISC.BENG.GUFF.17.6.7
Avoiding Misplaced Verbal Modifiers
BLOOM’S: Application
27. The ____ mood is used to express a doubt, a conjecture, or a suggestion.
a.
indicative
b.
imperative
c.
subjunctive
c
Some of these clauses begin with if and wish.
1
Easy
BENG.GUFF.17.5-6 – 5-6
United States – BUSPROG.BENG.GUFF.17.6.4 – DISC.BENG.GUFF.17.6.4
Verb Moods
BLOOM’S: Knowledge
28. If I ____ you, I would apply for the grant.
a.
was
b.
were
b
1
Easy
29. The consultant recommended that the website ____ totally redesigned.
a.
is
b.
be
c.
was
b
1
Easy
30. A motion was made that the meeting ____ adjourned.
a.
be
b.
was
c.
is
a
1
Easy
Verb Moods
BLOOM’S: Application
31. Which sentence is correct?
a.
I wish I was the U.S. president because I would like to live in the White House.
b.
My employer requires that employees are present at the public forum.
c.
Rahjid seconded the motion that a wellness committee be formed.
c
1
Moderate
BENG.GUFF.17.5-6 – 5-6
United States – BUSPROG.BENG.GUFF.17.6.7 – DISC.BENG.GUFF.17.6.7
Verb Moods
BLOOM’S: Application
32. Stock prices have ____ to a six-month low.
a.
sank
b.
sunk
c.
sunken
b
of the irregular verb sink.
1
Easy
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
33. The high employee turnover rate has ____ to the attention of management.
a.
came
b.
come
c.
camed
b
verb. In this sentence the past-participle form is come. The verb came is the past-tense form.
1
Easy
34. We had ____ the feasibility report without knowing the budget constraints.
a.
wrote
b.
written
b
1
Easy
35. Have you ____ at the new sushi restaurant yet?
a.
ate
b.
eaten
b
1
Easy
36. I ____ our company’s annual report on the website.
a.
seen
b.
saw
b
be used if the sentence contained a helping verb such as has, had, or have.
1
Easy
United States – BUSPROG.BENG.GUFF.17.6.6 – DISC.BENG.GUFF.17.6.6
37. Which sentence is correct?
a.
Because our manager has went to the spring conference, every one of us secretaries has had to work extra
hours.
b.
It’s not unusual for the company to have gave the extra work to us, but it should pay its employees for the extra
work.
c.
To send a clear message to management, we have chosen to write a memo explaining our concern.
c
1
Moderate
United States – BUSPROG.BENG.GUFF.17.6.6 – DISC.BENG.GUFF.17.6.6
38. We hired a contractor to ____ new tile in our reception area.
a.
lie
b.
lay
b
The irregular verb lay means “to place.” This verb is transitive and requires a direct object
1
Easy
United States – BUSPROG.BENG.GUFF.17.6.6 – DISC.BENG.GUFF.17.6.6
39. Reviewing before a test will help you ____ your score.
a.
rise
b.
raise
b
transitive verbs require a direct object (score).
1
Easy
BENG.GUFF.17.5-7 – 5-7
United States – BUSPROG.BENG.GUFF.17.6.7 – DISC.BENG.GUFF.17.6.7
Three Pairs of Frequently Misused Irregular Verbs
BLOOM’S: Application
40. The server is ____ four water glasses in the corner booth for us.
a.
setting
b.
sitting
a
used because the word glasses serves as the direct object of the verb.
1
Easy
BENG.GUFF.17.5-7 – 5-7
United States – BUSPROG.BENG.GUFF.17.6.7 – DISC.BENG.GUFF.17.6.7
Three Pairs of Frequently Misused Irregular Verbs
BLOOM’S: Application
41. Which sentence is correct?
a.
One attorney laid blame on a witness for not telling the truth when under oath.
b.
Today’s newspaper is laying on the kitchen table.
c.
Wanting to enjoy a few minutes of rest and relaxation, Susan decided to lay in the sun.
a
1
Moderate
United States – BUSPROG.BENG.GUFF.17.1.6 – DISC.BENG.GUFF.17.1.6
United States – BUSPROG.BENG.GUFF.17.6.7 – DISC.BENG.GUFF.17.6.7
Three Pairs of Frequently Misused Irregular Verbs
BLOOM’S: Application
42. (Present progressive) We _______ for our new shipment of printers from Spectrum Industries.
a.
were waiting
b.
are waiting
c.
will be waiting
b
1
BENG.GUFF.17.5-8 – 5-8
United States – BUSPROG.BENG.GUFF.17.6.7 – DISC.BENG.GUFF.17.6.7
Progressive and Perfect Tenses
BLOOM’S: Application
43. (Future progressive) I ____ to your e-mail message by tomorrow morning.
a.
will be replying
b.
am replying
c.
will reply
verb (ing). Therefore, the future-progressive form is will be replying.
1
BENG.GUFF.17.5-8 – 5-8
United States – BUSPROG.BENG.GUFF.17.6.7 – DISC.BENG.GUFF.17.6.7
Progressive and Perfect Tenses
BLOOM’S: Application
44. (Past perfect) I wish I ____ the job announcement before I prepared my résumé.
a.
saw
b.
had seen
c.
seen
b
tenses are formed by adding a form of to have to the past-participle form of a verb.
tense, and seen represents the past-participle form of the irregular verb see.
1
Easy
BENG.GUFF.17.5-8 – 5-8
United States – BUSPROG.BENG.GUFF.17.6.7 – DISC.BENG.GUFF.17.6.7
Progressive and Perfect Tenses
BLOOM’S: Application
45. (Future perfect) At the rate you’re going, you ____ the project before its due date.
a.
will have finished
b.
will finish
c.
have finished
a
sentence the future-perfect tense is will have finished. The simple future tense is will finish.
1
Easy
BENG.GUFF.17.5-8 – 5-8
United States – BUSPROG.BENG.GUFF.17.6.7 – DISC.BENG.GUFF.17.6.7
Progressive and Perfect Tenses
BLOOM’S: Application
46. One important ____ of accounting is that personal assets must be kept separate from business assets.
a.
principal
b.
principle
b
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
47. MapQuest often provides directions using ____ highways or roads.
a.
principal
b.
principle
a
1
BENG.GUFF.17.N/A – N/A
United States – BUSPROG.BENG.GUFF.17.6.7 – DISC.BENG.GUFF.17.6.7
BLOOM’S: Application
48. Which sentence is better expressed?
a.
Lying in his briefcase, Matt found the report for the construction project.
b.
Lying in his briefcase, the report for the construction project was found by Matt.
b
dangling modifier, suggesting that Matt was lying in his briefcase!
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
49. Which sentence is correct?
a.
After filling her car with gas, Shelly got a 5 percent discount for paying in cash.
b.
Curt earned a free gift with this paid membership to Ducks Unlimited.
c.
Trinity received a 25 percent off discount for her next iTunes download.
a
1
Moderate
BENG.GUFF.17.N/A – N/A
United States – BUSPROG.BENG.GUFF.17.6.7 – DISC.BENG.GUFF.17.6.7
50. The plant closure will ____ all employees, including those in subsidiary companies.
a.
affect
b.
effect
a
1
Easy