CSET English Test Practice Questions

1. Which one of the following demonstrates a sentence combining with a subordinator?

A) Although she wanted to go, she still had work to do.
B) She could not go, nor did she want to.
C) She promised that she would finish the work.
D) Her boss, Mr. Jackson, would expect the work done properly.

2. Which of the following sentences matches the sentence structure in the diagram?

A) He wanted to do homework.
B) She did the homework.
C) The girl wanted to do the homework.
D) The boy did the homework.

3. Which of the following is a common linguistic problem for someone learning a second language?

A) attitude of the learner
B) age
C) phonology
D) ability to hear

4. Positive transfer occurs when:

A) There is a misconception.
B) A student finds similar elements in two different ideas.
C) There is a moral.
D) Information has been memorized.

5. Which sentence is an example of hypercorrection?

A) The meal was just right for you and I.
B) You and I had a great time at dinner.
C) Our friends waited until you and I got there.
D) Our friends are just right for you and me.

CSET English Test Answers

1. Answer: A

Subordinators are sentence-joining words that form relationships between ideas. Some examples of common subordinators are although, though, while, because, since, if, and unless. In this case, the word although is used to form the relationship. Answer choice B uses the word for as a coordinator. Answer choices C and D do not contain subordinators.

2. Answer: D

The final result is at the bottom of the diagram below.

3. Answer: C

Phonology is an aspect of linguistics that has to do with sound and how sounds work together. Answers A and B are factors in learning a second language, but they are not part of linguistics (which is the scientific study of language). Answer D is incorrect.

4. Answer: B

Positive transfer occurs when a student finds that a meaningful idea or skill which has already been introduced or learned is linked to another idea or skill. Answer choice A, misconception, is related to negative transfer. Answer choice C is simply incorrect. Answer choice D, memorization, implies that the information is learned by rote, is not meaningful, and will probably be forgotten.

5. Answer: A

Hypercorrection is a linguistic phenomenon in which someone might, in an effort to follow the rules, use wording that is not correct but may sound as if it is. If you would say the meal was just right for me, then you would also say the meal was just right for you and me. But since many people have it ingrained into them that "you and me" is incorrect (as it would be in you and me will go to dinner), people hypercorrect and change it to the incorrect formulation "you and I."