PRELIMINARY EXAMINATION IN ENGLISH LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY I

First Semester, SY 2019-2020

Name: ___________________________________ Score: ____________________
Course/Year/Sec: _____________________ Date: _____________________

PART I. WRITTEN EXAM

I. On Concepts of the English Language and Grammar. Write the letter of the correct answer before
each item number. Use capital letter only. NO ERASURES.
1. All of the following are reasons why English is considered a global language EXCEPT
A. It is the official international language of the third world.
B. It is the language of science, computer and technology.
C. It is the language with the most number of speakers.
D. It has the richest vocabulary.
E. It is the most widespread mother tongue.

2. For the case of English language in the Philippines, all of the following mean the same except
A. Target language C. Second Language E. L2
B. First Language D. English language

3. The Philippines had been colonized by the United States, and due to affinitive relation, Filipinos are
approximating ___________________.
A. British English C. Australian English E. Scottish English
B. Canadian English D. American English

4. The systematic study and description of a language is called ___________.

A. English C. Grammar E. Filipino
B. Linguist D. Subject and Verb

5. The English language is a conglomeration of _______.

A. Old English and Latin C. Latin and Greek E. NOTA
B. many languages D. several varieties of English

6. The most spoken language language in the WORLD.

A. English C. Hindustani E. Spanish
B. Mandarin D. Arabic

7. “Imeldific” is an English word coined after former Philippine first lady Imelda Marcos to mean
ostentatious extravagance. The word was formed through _______________.
A. Compounding C. Construction
B. Portmanteau D. Affixing E. Borrowing

8. If we blend breakfast and lunch, it forms a new word BRUNCH. How do we call the new word formed
through this process.
A. Apocopated Word C. Anagram E. Portmanteau
B. Loaned word D. Blending

9. Halo-halo, Balikbayan box, kilig, pasalubong and baon are just some of the Filipino words which are
now part of the English language. How do we call this process of making foreign words a part of the
English vocabulary?
A. Compounding C. Affixing E. Constructing
B. Borrowing D. Blending
 
10. Which of the following words/phrases is INCORRECTLY written?
 A. Independence Day C. Acer Aspire
B. cell phone D. samsung galaxy S5 E. Adamson University

11. Sugar, electricity, knowledge, milk, information. These are examples of _____________ nouns.
A. Concrete C. Mass
B. Abstract D. Count E. Collective

12. Which of the following sentences is correct.

A. Sacks of sugars, salts and flours were delivered to the CSU canteen.
B. Sack of sugars, salts and flours were delivered to the CSU canteen.
C. Sack of sugar, salt and flour were delivered to the CSU canteen.
D. A sacks of sugar, salt and flour were delivered to the CSU canteen.
E. Sacks of sugar, salt and flour were delivered to the CSU canteen.

13. Which of the following statements is the most acceptable?

A. The childrens were fascinated by storys and lullabys of my grandmother.
B. The children were fascinated by storys and lullabys of my grandmother.
C. The children was fascinated by stories and lullabies of my grandmother.
D. The children were fascinated by stories and lullabys of my grandmother.
E. The children were fascinated by stories and lullabies of my grandmother.

14. The heir donated some of her inheritance to an orphanage. What word made the sentence
erroneous?
A. heir C. inheritance
B. donated D. an E. orphanage

15. Who among the following is NOT a specialist/expert in the field of the English Language?
A. Ortographist C. Rhetorician
B. Connoiseur D. Lexicographer E. Etymologist

16. Which of the following statements is grammatically correct?

a. You and me have the same rights and privileges.
b. You and I have the same rights and privileges.
c. I and you have the same rights and privileges.
d. Me and you have the same rights and privileges.
e. All are incorrect.

17. What is true of this sentence: “You, Dr. Fagela and I teach in the same university.”
a. It contains an indefinite pronoun.
b. It uses personal pronoun.
c. It has relative pronoun.
d. It makes use of a compound personal pronoun.
e. There is no agreement in pronoun and antecedent.

18. Everybody is expected to be in ______________ uniform everyday. In this sentence, the pronoun to
be used to agree with the antecedent “everybody” is.
a. its b. our c. their d. his/her e. your

19. Each of the boys in the team is confident he is to win the championship trophy. Which of the
following statements is correct?
a. The antecedent of the pronoun “he” is boys.
b. The pronoun “he” should be changed with “they”.
c. The pronoun he agrees with the antecedent each of the boys.
d. The statement is grammatically incorrect.
e. The sentence does not make sense.
20. _________ have already received ___________ 13 th Month Pay. The correct pronouns to complete
the sentence are:
a. They –ours b. We-my c. They-their d. We-its e. I-its

II. On Words .

A. APOCOPATION. Write the apocopated word of the following English words.

chemotherapy 1.
Repossess 2.
Underwear 3.
Abdominal muscles 4.
Specifications 5.

B. On PORTMANTEAU. Write the original words from where this new created word was taken from.
Infomercial 6.
Telegenic 7.
Newscast 8.
Sitcom 9.
Wifi 10.
Urinalysis 11.
Coopetition 12.
Forex 13.
Hubot 14.
Breathalyzer 15.

III. On Parts of Speech. Identify the part of speech that is being defined or described.
__________________1. It is the most important part of speech for it can stand alone as a sentence.
__________________2. It is the most widely used part of speech.
__________________3. It is the most primitive type/part of speech
__________________4. These are modifiers.
__________________5. They bridge words, phrases and even sentences.
__________________6. It takes the place of a noun.
__________________7. It is considered the most movable part of speech.
__________________8. This always requires an object that is a noun or a pronoun.
__________________9. This part of speech changes the meaning of the noun modified.
__________________10. It is a part of speech that is hardest to master for it lacks definite rule.
__________________11. It is a naming word.
__________________12. It shows various relations with noun, pronoun and modifier.
__________________13. It introduces a clause.
__________________14.It generally answers one of three questions: which one, what kind, how many?
__________________15. It generally answers one of these questions: how, when and where?

IV. On Sentence vs Fragment.

A. Classify each of the following as phrase, clause, or sentence.
__________________ 1. By the end of second semester this academic year.
__________________ 2. Unless he later consciously changes his bad habits and behavior.
__________________3. They are conclusions, not explanations.
__________________4. Without at least minimal handling.
__________________5. The script may call for a life of withdrawal.
__________________6. Once the position is uncovered and changed.
__________________7. Common in children are extremely painful injuries.
__________________8. Until he finally rejects them all in favor of a new group of yes men.
__________________9. Before the next stage of her life.
__________________10. The child wants immediate results.
B. On Sentence Sense. Arrange the jumbled group of words to form a meaningful sentence. The first
group is the beginning of the sentence. Just write the correct order using the numbers assigned before
each group of words.
A.1. About 2,000 families 7 points
2. were totally destroyed
3. have been provided food, clean water, 11. __ 12. __ 13.__ 14.__ 15.__ 16.__ 17.__
4. in the towns of northern Cebu,
5. and hygiene kits
6. where all homes
7. one of the landfall sites

V. On Do, Does, Did and Done. Write the correct form of the verb do to complete the meaning
of the sentences.

1. _______ you watch the re-play of the match between Philippine Azkals and Singapore Lions last
night?
2. Dave does not want to go out tonight, but his friends _______.
3. How _______ your parents react about your decision of marrying at young age?
4. _______ you bring your costume and props for the presentation?
5. Whom _______ the dean and the adviser give the Leadership Award?
6. Why _______ the government tolerate jueteng?
7. _______ God really care about us?
8. I _______ like the way you treat your students.
9. _______ the newest model of LG cell phone work even without a battery?
10. Susan ________ not really expect that to happen.
11. Michelle and I _______ exactly what we were told to do.
12. The students leaders have _______ their part for the University.
13. Angelo has _______ his role as father to his children.
14. Allan _______ believe in the existence of the unseen being around him.
15. I do not like ice cream, but my wife _______.

VI. Making Pronouns Agree with Antecedent.

A. Write an appropriate personal pronoun to agree with its antecedent.

1. Tuguegarao City is the capital of Cagayan and Penablanca is ____________ largest municipality.

2. One of the male applicants was willing to volunteer _____________ time.

3. Either Aileen or Althea left _______________ shoulder bag and scarf in the car.

4. Ms. Sanchez and _______________ secretary attended a convention at Baguio city.

5. Jayson attends a state university because_______________ pays less fees there.

6. A person can learn to swim if _______________ tries.

7. Each lecturer must submit _______________ grade sheets before going on a vacation.

8. I was told by my peers that _______________ being straight forward is what they liked about me.

9. If your old uniform or your brother’s new uniform doesn’t fit you, don’t throw _______________
away.

10. Dr. Cacatian and I do not know what kind of clothing _______________ should wear for the opening
program of the conference.
 B. Rewriting Sentences Involving the Correct use of Pronouns. Rewrite the sentence incorporating the
correct word to avoid shift in person and gender.

11. Each student must submit their accomplishment report before leaving.

12. Ariel, a welder, wear goggles so that your eyes will be shielded from the sparks.

13. Trying to protect its kids, the father disregarded his own safety as the rebels approach.

14. We were taught that you should dream big and often try whenever she fails.

15. The students want to know what you should bring to their trip to the CSU-SM old site.

VII. On Has, Have and Had.

Using the Perfect Tenses of the Verb. Answer the following questions briefly. Express your sentences
using the correct form of the verb in the perfect form.
Note: Use has, have or had in your sentences.

1. Why have you chosen criminology as your course?

2. What lessons have you learned about life?

3. What is the worst case of cheating you have ever heard?

4. Since when has the price of prime commodities rise again?

5. What had the teachers prepare before the visitors arrived?

6. Since when they had known each other?

7. What has he eaten before he attended his classes?

8. Since when have they implemented total lockdown in Metro Manila?

VIII. On Sentence ERRORS. Analyze each group of words. Write NO ERROR before the item numbers if
the group of words makes sense and follows the standards in grammar. However, write the error
committed by the sentence (Fragment, Comma Splice, Fused sentence, Double Negative, Faulty
Parallelism, Misplaced modifier, Dangling modifier) if it is grammatically incorrect. Then, correct the
error by rewriting the sentence on the space provided .

_____________ 1-2. It is not enough to have a Ph.D. to qualify for a teaching post in a university, it is
necessary for professors to do research while teaching.
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________

_____________ 3-4. The store sells apparel for children it also sells denim jeans for teenagers and gift
items for all occasions.
_____________________________________________________________________________________

_____________ 5-6. Entering the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, a security guard inspected us.
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________ 7-8. Professor Cruz would’t accept no late requirements.
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________ 9-10. Mark Angelo wants to start a choral group, join the band, and took more guitar
lessons.
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________ 11-12. The order to arrest drug addicts, pushers, and suppliers must be uniformly
applied, for the drug menace has grown to alarming proportions.
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________ 13-14. He is successful not only because of perseverance but he is hardworking.
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________ 15-16. The contractors needed all kinds of artists to paint the mural badly.
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________ 17-18. When he heard that he had perfected the Prelim exam given by their English
teacher.
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________ 19-20. We admire him for his courage, integrity, and he is very reliable.
_____________________________________________________________________________________

IX. Errors in Sentence Construction.

Directions: Write the letter of the sentence that is NOT acceptable in the standard English. Also, on
the blank, write the kind of error committed in the statement. NO ERASURES. (2 points each)

_____________________ 1-2. A. Preparing native dishes is more relaxing than to visit local sights.
B. Preparing native dishes is more relaxing than visiting local sights.
C. It is more relaxing to prepare native dishes than to visit local sights.

_____________________3-4. A. Mitch and Mike have already gone to Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia
and Vietnam.
B. Although Mitch and Make have already visited different countries in
Southeast Asia.
C. The personality of the couple has not yet improved though they have
already gone to different countries.

_____________________5-6. A. I could hardly believe how a former ice cream house now became
“Jollibee” with more than 700 stores worldwide.
B. I couldn’t believe how a former ice cream house now became “
Jollibee” with more than 700 stores worldwide.
 C. I couldn’t hardly believe how a former ice cream house now became “
Jollibee” with more than 700 stores worldwide.

_____________________ 7-8. A. We were taught how to prepare Baked Macaroni.

B. He taught us how to prepare Baked Macaroni through written
directions.
C. Through written directions, he thought us how to prepare Baked
Macaroni.

_____________________9-10. A. Chef Marlon kept trying to carve ice; however, he failed each time.
B. Chef Marlon failed every time he carves ice.
C. Chef Marlon kept trying to carve ice he failed each time.

_____________________ 11-12. A. The gorgeous guest patiently waiting at the lobby of Hotel
Roma.
B. The guests patiently wait at the hotel’s lobby.
C. At the lobby of Hotel Roma is a guest patiently waiting.

_____________________ 13-14. A. The supervisor frowned and shook his head, he did not utter
any word.
B. The supervisor frowned, shook his head, and did not utter any word.
C. The supervisor frowned and shook his head. He did not utter any
word.

_____________________ 15-16. A. I failed the first time I baked carrot cake, but I succeeded the
next try.
B. I did not succeed the first time I baked a cake I succeeded the second
try.
C. The first time I baked cake, I failed; I succeeded the succeeding tries.
_____________________ 17-18. A. Arnold is attending a state university because you pay less
tuition there.
B. Nathan and Arnold are attending a state university because they pay
less tuition there.
C. Arnold is attending a state university because he pays less tuition
there.

_____________________ 19-20. A. Any person can learn bottle flaring and cocktail mixing if
they try.
B. Any person who tries can learn bottle flaring and cocktail mixing .
C. People can learn bottle flaring and cocktail mixing if they try.

Part II. Listening. Surf the net and listen to the song titled “Heal the World” by Michael Jackson
In a sentence of not more than 10, share your reflection on the life’s lessons that you got after
listening to the lyrics of the song.

You are graded as to

Content 10 points
Correctness of Grammar 7 points
Organization of ideas 3
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________

PART 3. Speaking/Picture Talk.

Oral/Virtual Examination. 20 points. The teacher calls each student. Each student has to express
his/her ideas orally by telling something about the picture flashed by the teacher. A student needs to
express his ideas orally in simple yet complete and correct sentences.

Rubrics:
Relevance of the Answer to the Question-10
Correctness of Grammar -7
Fluency and Confidence in using the language- 3

“YOU CANNOT, NOT COMMUNICATE”

Prepared by:
Allan O. de la Cruz, PhD.
Campus Academic Affairs Coordinator