Ministry of Education

ELT General Supervision

TOEFL
Aptitude Test
IELTS


Prepared by ELT General Supervision
Standardized Tests
A standardized test is an examination that attempts
to determine and measure a person's ability to
acquire, through future training, some specific set
of skills (intellectual, motor, and so on).

The tests assume that people differ in their special
abilities and that these differences can be useful in
predicting future achievements.
For example, the SAT (Scholastic Aptitude Test)
is a test designed to predict how well you will
perform in college. It is not designed to measure
how well you did in high school, but how
capable you are of learning all the new skills
necessary to do well in college / university.
ETS (Educational Testing Service) is responsible
for many international standardized tests, such
as TOEFL and others.
Center for Measurements &
Teaching Development
Is the one responsible for designing and
administering Aptitude Tests for admission in
Kuwait University.
ENGLISH APTITUDE TEST

STUDENT INFORMATION
FOR
ENGLISH LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY
REQUIREMENTS
at Kuwait University
Part I - Grammar:
Objective:

To test students knowledge of
general, basic English grammar.

Grammatical items may include:

1. Articles
2- Quantifiers
2. Subject-verb agreement + there is I there are
3. Word order - questions, adjectives, indirect quotes
4. Prepositions - use of common prep. Phrases.
5. Pronouns - subject, object, possessive, reflexive and
relative
6. All verb tenses - all active and passive
7. Gerunds & Infinitives
8. Sequence of tenses
9. All subordinate clauses (relative clause, adverbial
clause, noun clause) +connecting words.

Part II- Vocabulary:
Objective:

To test students' knowledge of
common vocabulary words.

Contents

1. Some vocabulary items from high school
English textbooks.


2. Items from general English vocabulary.

Part III- Reading comprehension:

Objective:


To test students' comprehension of
certain texts.

Contents

1. Finding the meaning of words in context
2. Finding the main idea of a paragraph
3. Finding the topic of a passage
4. Listing subordinating details
5. Recognizing the importance of some details
6. Making inferences or deductions
7. Using numbers in passages to solve
problems



Lets give it a try.
Basic Concepts

Handout
Articles
a = indefinite article (not a specific object,
one of a number of the same objects) with
consonants.
She has a dog. / I work in a factory.
an = indefinite article (not a specific object,
one of a number of the same objects) with
vowels (a,e,i,o,u)
Can I have an apple? / She is an English teacher.


the = definite article (a specific object that
both the person speaking and the listener
know)
The car over there is fast. / The teacher is very good,
isn't he?
The first time you speak of something use "a or
an", the next time you repeat that object use
"the".
I live in a house. The house is quite old and has four
bedrooms.
I ate in a Chinese restaurant. The restaurant was very
good.

DO NOT use an article with countries,
states, counties or provinces, lakes and
mountains except when the country is a
collection of states such as "The United
States".
He lives in Washington near Mount Rainier.
They live in northern British Columbia.
Use an article with bodies of water, oceans
and seas -
My country borders on the Pacific Ocean
DO NOT use an article when you are
speaking about things in general.
She likes reading books.
I like Russian tea.
DO NOT use an article when you are
speaking about meals, places, and transport.
He has breakfast at home.
I go to university.
He comes to work by taxi.
Check the handout for
practice on
Articles
And
quantifiers.
Subject-verb agreement
Notice these
Think about these situations:

When the expletive "it" is the subject
In sentences beginning with the expletives
"there is" or "there are
When words like "each" are the subject
When words like "none" are the subject
When the subjects are joined by "and"
When singular subjects are joined by words
like "or"
When one subject is singular and one plural
Now try the
examples in your
. worksheets
Word Order
Guess the most natural order.
a- Here she has worked for a very long time.

b- For a very long time she has worked here.

c- She has worked for a very long time here.

d-She has worked here for a very long time.

a- Please fill out with the details this form.

b- Please with your details fill out this
form.

c- Please fill out your details with this
form.

d- Please fill out this form with your
details

Word Order in questions
interrogative
auxiliary
verb
subject
other
verb(s)
indirect
object
direct
object
place time
What would you like to
tell
me
Did you have a party in
your
flat
yesterday?
When were you here?

Opinion Size Age Shape Colour Origin Material Purpose
a silly young English man
a huge round metal bowl
a small red sleeping bag
Order of Adjectives
Which is the correct order?
1- a small Canadian thin lady

2- a Canadian small thin lady

3- a small thin Canadian lady

4- a thin small Canadian lady



1- a carving steel new knife

2- a new steel carving knife

3- a steel new carving knife

4- a new carving steel knife




1- a cotton dirty old tie

2- a dirty cotton old tie

3- an old cotton dirty tie

4- a dirty old cotton tie



Check handout
What is an adverb?

The best way to tell if a word is an adverb is to try making a
question, for which the answer is the word. If the question
uses how, where or when, then the word is probably an
adverb. Here is an example:
Word in context Question Adverb?
Tom plays tennis
aggressively.
How does Tom
play tennis?
Yes -- uses HOW.
They have a small
house.
What kind of
house do they
have?
No -- uses WHAT KI ND
OF, so this is an
adjective.
Matthew called the
police immediately.
When did
Matthew call the
police?
Yes -- uses WHEN.

Kinds of Adverbs
Adverbs of Manner
She moved slowly and spoke quietly.
Adverbs of Place
She has lived on the island all her life.
She still lives there now.
Adverbs of Frequency
She takes the boat to the mainland every day.
She often goes by herself.
Adverbs of Time
She tries to get back before dark.
It's starting to get dark now.
She finished her tea first.
She left early.
Adverbs of Purpose
She drives her boat slowly to avoid hitting the rocks.
She shops in several stores to get the best buys.
Select the sentence in which usually
appears in an appropriate position.

A. She usually shops for clothes at the local
thrift store.

B. Usually she shops for clothes at the local
thrift store.

C. She shops for clothes at the local thrift store
usually.

D. Either "A" or "B" is fine.


Select the sentence with the most
appropriate order of adverbial phrases.

A. She leaves the island during the months
of December and January after dark.

B. She leaves the island after dark during
the months of December and January.

C. Either "A" or "B" is fine.
More examples
Clauses
Relative Clauses
The lazy students whom Mrs. Russell hit in the head with a chalk eraser
soon learned to keep their complaints to themselves.
Noun Clauses
You really do not want to know what Aunt Nancy adds to her stew.
Adjective Clause
They are searching for the one who borrowed the book .
Adverb Clauses
If the British co-operate, the Europeans may achieve monetary
union.

Phrasal verbs
Match the phrasal verb with the sentence that would most appropriately contain that verb.
Your
Answers
Verbs Sent. No. Sentences
hung up
1
He tried to __________ his jacket before his tie was tied.
came to
2
My family was able to ________ on very little money when I
was young.
catch on
3
The detective vowed to __________ who the murderer was
before the case went to trial.
eat out
4
Whenever we get tired of cooking, we ________ at our favorite
Italian restaurant.
put on
5
Carlos ________ on his sister because he was so tired of
listening to her whining on the phone.
talk over
6
Tashonda was astonished that she was __________ for the
counselor's position.
get by
7
The committee promised that the celebrity would ______ at the
big event.
turned down
8
When he __________, his wallet and bike were nowhere to be
found.
find out
9
Professor Farbman promised to _________ the exam after she
returned the results.
show up
10
Terri was able to ________ to the most complex problems in
calculus before anyone else .
Verbs Sentences
hung up
Carlos HUNG UP on his sister because he was so tired of listening to her
whining on the phone.
came to When he CAME TO, his wallet and bike were nowhere to be found.
catch on
Terri was able to CATCH ON to the most complex problems in calculus
before anyone else.
eat out
Whenever we get tired of cooking, we EAT OUT at our favorite Italian
restaurant.
put on He tried to PUT ON his jacket before his tied was tied.
talk over
Professor Farbman promised to TALK OVER the exam after she returned
the results.
get by My family was able to GET BY on very little money when I was young.
turned down
Tashonda was astonished that she was TURNED DOWN for the
counselor's position.
find out
The detective vowed to FIND OUT who the real murderer was before the
case went to trial.
show up
The committee promised that the celebrity would SHOW UP at the big
event.
Go to handout
Pronouns
Subjective Pronouns
Objective Pronouns
Possessive Pronouns
Demonstrative Pronouns
Indefinite Pronouns (all, any, both, each, everyone, few, many,
neither, none, nothing, several, some, and somebody.)
Relative Pronouns
Reflexive Pronouns (They should divide the berries among
themselves.)
Intensive Pronouns (The queen herself visited our class.)
Reciprocal Pronouns (each other and one another)
Jody has lost ________ book.
mine
her
hers
theirs

Junko has eaten her lunch already, but I'm
saving ________ until later.
hers
her
my
mine

Choose the right pronoun
This bird has broken ________ wing.
its
its
hers
its

_____ pencil is broken. Can I borrow ____?
Mine, yours
Your, mine
My, yours
Yours, mine

Try handout
Jane talks on the phone.
Bob has been talking on the phone for an
hour.
Mary is talking on the phone.

Who is not necessarily on the phone
now? _____________
Jane
Tenses
Try these questions.
- Jane left when Tim arrived.
- Bob left when Tim had arrived.
- Tim arrived when Mary was leaving.
- John had left when Tim arrived.
- After Tim arrived, Frank left.


Who did not run into Tim? _______

John
Try handout
Gerunds

Gerund as subject:
Traveling might satisfy your desire for new experiences.
The study abroad program might satisfy your desire for
new experiences.
Gerund as direct object:
They do not appreciate my singing.
They do not appreciate my assistance.
Gerund as subject complement:
My cat's favorite activity is sleeping.
My cat's favorite food is salmon.
Gerund as object of preposition:
The police arrested him for speeding.
The police arrested him for criminal activity.
Verbs that take only infinitives as verbal direct objects
agree decide expect hesitate
learn need promise neglect
hope want plan attempt
propose intend pretend
Examples:
I hope to go on a vacation soon.
(not: I hope going on a vacation soon.)

He promised to go on a diet.
(not: He promised going on a diet.)

Verbs that take only gerunds as verbal direct objects
deny risk delay consider
can't help keep give up be fond of
finish quit put off practice
postpone tolerate suggest stop (quit)
regret enjoy keep (on) dislike
admit avoid recall mind
miss detest appreciate recommend
get/be
through
get/be tired
of
get/be
accustomed to
get/be used to

Examples:
They always avoid drinking before driving.
(not: They always avoid to drink before driving.)

I recall asking her that question.
(not: I recall to ask her that question.)
Verbs that take gerunds or infinitives as verbal direct
objects
start begin continue hate
prefer like love try
remember
Examples:
She has continued to work at the store.
She has continued working at the store.

Try handout
Vocabulary
Commonly misused words
angel / angle
cite / site / sight
costume / custom
decent / descent
dessert / desert
later / latter
loose / lose
peace / piece
principal / principle
quite / quiet





If you don't take exercise you ___ the risk of
getting ill.

a. stand
b. face
c. run
d. suffer

He was ___ with embezzlement and
sentenced to three years in prison.

a. accused
b. convicted
c. charged
d. arrested


If you are ___ with this test, perhaps you
should attempt an easier one.

a. stumbling
b. stressed
c. struggling
d. straining


Insulation was fitted to ___ further heat loss
from the building.

a. guard
b. protect
c. save
d. prevent




We are all ___ the opinion that hydrocarbons
in the atmosphere contribute to global
warming.

a. in
b. on
c. of
d. with
e. at


_________ had we sold out our stock when
the markets crashed.

a. If only
b. Just
c. Seldom
d. Hardly
e. No sooner


I can't ___ thinking that we made a mistake
in our calculations -- the total is too high.

a. help
b. bear
c. stand
d. be


I dread ___ what would have happened if
there'd been an accident.

a. thinking
b. to think
c. to thinking
d. the thought


Can you wait thirty seconds while I ___ in to
the Post Office for some stamps?

a. saunter
b. breeze
c. break
d. pop
e. go



The chess players tried very hard to ___
each other with every move in the
tournament.

a. outnumber
b. outclass
c. outweigh
d. outcome
e. outwit


You reap what you ___.

a. sew
b. so
c. sow


You need flexibility to ___ to new
situations.

a. adapt
b. adopt


You look like an ___ in that white dress!

a. angel
b. angle


You can not ___ the problem by running
away.

a. allude
b. elude


You can insult me but how dare you ___ my
wife!

a. sleight
b. slight


William made a ___ that his brother would
someday become an all-star pitcher.

a. prophecy
b. prophesy


Visibility was ___ because of the falling
snow.

a. nil
b. null


Wait in line. Go to the end of the ___.

a. cue
b. queue


We always had a ___ living with us so our
meals were never quiet.

a. boarder
b. border


We will know the _________ of the injuries
after the x-ray.

a. extant
b. extent


Will this low mark ___ my grade?

a. affect
b. effect


This field will be the ___ of the new shopping
center.

a. cite
b. sight
c. site


This new information does not ___ my
opinion of him.

a. altar
b. alter


To err is ___.

a. human
b. humane


To give someone a wide ___ means to stay
out of their way.

a. berth
b. birth


Use a knife to ___ the potatoes.

a. pear
b. pair
c. pare


There is nothing more ___ than cheese and
chalk.

a. desperate
b. disparate


The radio is ___ the television.

a. beside
b. besides


"The teacher said he would not brook
such outrageous conduct in the
classroom."

a) bridge
b) complain
c) resent
d) tolerate
e) deny
We had to postpone our walk until the
storm would abate."

a) diminish
b) fish
c) embarrass
d) wound
e) catch


Playing their hardest, the two teams will
vie for the basketball championship.

a) covet
b) stimulate
c) surpass
d) speculate
e) compete
We seemed to abash her when we asked
her if she liked her new job.

a) enlighten
b) strike
c) embarrass
d) deduct
e) forsake
It is a common practice to desiccate
apricots before packing them for sale in
stores.

a) destroy
b) chop fine
c) profane
d) dry up
e) delay
The parents had a lachrymose parting
when their son left for his army unit in the
war zone.

a) gloomy
b) happy
c) enthusiastic
d) tearful
e) laughable
The governor treated the visiting
delegations with deference.

a) delay
b) respect
c) opposition
d) unconcern
e) shyness
The lawyer tried to elicit a testimony
from the reluctant witness.

a) profane
b) break the law
c) draw forth
d) beg
e) demand
He was just a sanctimonious politician
who can not be trusted.

a) solemn
b) dogmatic
c) conceited
d) hypocritical
e) steady
Why do you want to roil the mayor with
these obvious lies about his family?

a) confuse
b) insult
c) irritate
d) curl
e) amuse
Most people feel it is inappropriate to
have levity at a funeral service.

a) mockery
b) sadness
c) great vitality
d) evenness
e) frivolity
The new evidence presented by the
prosecutor will bode bad results for the
lawyer's defense.

a) wait
b) foreshadow
c) dwell
d) stimulate
e) endure
She was obviously an officious clerk
because she wouldn't leave us alone to
make our own decisions.

a) insulting
b) demanding
c) authentic
d) formal
e) meddlesome

If you feel "Like a fish ________ water" you
feel in the wrong place.

a.In
b.Under
c.out of
d.over
His name definitely rings
________, although I cant put a
face to it.

a. a memory
b. a thought
c. a bell
d. a clock


I'm very suspicious of this deal.
I can smell___

a. a rabbit
b. a rose
c. a rat
d. a fish

To "_______ around the bush"
is an idiom which means to
avoid speaking about something
directly.

a. run
b. beat
c. talk
d. look

If you make fun of someone, you
"pull his or her ________.

a. arm
b. finger
c. leg
d. toe

The crowd was so tightly packed
that it took us hours to ________.

a. get through them.
b. get through it.
c. get through all them.
d. get through with it.
Look at this old photo, I
________ it, when I was cleaning
the attic.

a. came over
b. came across
c. came into
d. came round
We were very poor when I was a boy,
my parents found it hard to ________.
(survive on a small amount of money)

a. get by
b. get away
c. get up
d. get across
What is the collective noun for
knives, forks, spoons and other
eating utensils?

a. crockery
b. cutlery
c. weaponry
d. eatery
Which of the following is the
odd one out?

a. hammer
b. chisel
c. rolling pin
d. pliers
The following words all contain
the word speed. Which one is
incorrect?

a. speed food
b. speed bump
c. speed reading
d. speed limit
Which of the following do you
do and not make?

a. a decision
b. a fuss
c. someone a favour
d. a mistake
Which of the following cannot
be delivered?

a. a baby
b. a letter
c. a smile
d. a speech
What is the opposite of
'resistible'?

a. unresistible
b. irresistible
c. disresistible
d. inresistible
Which word is the odd one
out?

a. awful
b. marvellous
c. fab
d. terrific
If you are seething, you
are________.

a. very very cold
b. very very thirsty
c. very very worried
d. very very angry
Which word is the odd one out?

a. big bang
b. penicillin
c. planets
d. solar system
Shes always cleaning so her house
is absolutely ________.

a. filthy
b. tedious
c. hideous
d. spotless
If someone grills you, he / she
________.

a. asks you lots of difficult questions.
b. tells you lots of jokes and funny
stories.
c. tells you all his / her problems.
d. makes you sit in the sun until you
burn.
If you want to walk quietly, you
________.

a. stagger
b. march
c. tiptoe
d. limp
More examples
Reading Comprehension
Read the following text
and answer the
questions below.
Elizabeth Blackwell was born in England in 1821 and
emigrated to New York City when she was ten years old. One day
she decided that she wanted to be a doctor. That was nearly
impossible for a woman in the middle of the 19
th
century. After writing
many letters seeking admission to medical schools, she was finally
accepted by a doctor in Philadelphia. So determined was she that
she taught in a school and gave music lessons to earn money for her
tuition.

In 1849, after graduation from a medical school, she
decided to further education in Paris. She wanted to be a surgeon,
but a serious eye infection forced her to abandon the idea.

Upon returning to the United States, she found it difficult to
start her own practice because she was a woman. By 1857,
Elizabeth and her sister, also a doctor, along with another female
doctor, managed to open a new hospital, the first for women and
children. Besides being the first female physician and founding her
own hospital, she also established the first medical school for
women.
1- Why couldnt Elizabeth realize her dream of
becoming a surgeon?

A- she couldnt get admitted to a medical
school.
B- she decided to further her education in Paris.
C- a serious eye infection halted her request.
D- It was difficult for her to start a practice in
the United States.
2- What main obstacle almost destroyed
Elizabeths chances for becoming a
doctor?

A- She was a woman.
B- She wrote too many letters.
C- She couldnt graduate from a medical
school.
D- She couldnt establish her hospital.
3- How many years elapsed between
her graduation from medical school
and the opening of her hospital?

A- 8
B- 10
C- 19
D- 36
4- All of the following are firsts in the life
of Elizabeth Blackwell except .

A- She became the first female physician.
B- She was the first woman surgeon.
C- She and several other women founded
the first hospital for women and children.
D- She established the first medical school
for women.

For Extra Vocabulary Exercises
&
Reading Comprehension
Questions,
refer to the Handout.