Assessment & Placement          ESL Accuplacer (LOEP) Test - Sample Questions

Sample questions are shown below for each of the ESL Accuplacer (LOEP) tests. Those presented cover only a few of the areas covered by each test. Keep in mind that these sample questions are not meant to be a study guide. These are designed to give you a general idea of the types of questions you will find on the ESL Accuplacer (LOEP) test.

The ESL Accuplacer (LOEP) has five parts:

1. Writing Sample: You will write one or more paragraphs about a topic selected by the College. This is the only part of the test which is completed using pencil and paper. (25 minutes)
2. Listening: (20 questions to measure your ability to listen to and understand one or more people speaking in English. The listening segments are conversations that could take place at work, home, or school.)
3. Reading Skills: (20 questions to measure your skill in reading English.)
4. Language Use: (20 questions to measure your skill in using correct grammar in English sentences.)
5. Sentence Meaning: (20 questions to measure how well you understand the meaning of sentences in English.)

Sample questions are provided for these parts of the test:

• Listening
• Reading Skills
• Language Use
• Sentence Meaning

Listening

Each of the test questions will consist of:

• a spoken conversation or lecture,
• pictures of the speaker or speakers,
• a spoken question about the conversation or lecture, and
• several answer choices that are spoken and presented in writing or as a picture.

There is only one best answer to each question.

First the test question is read to you. If you want to hear it again, you can listen to it only two more times, so listen carefully.

Below is a sample item to give you an idea of how each test item is set up. Be sure to adjust the volume on your headset if you need to during the test.

Question 1:
First, listen to the conversation and the question that follows.
Then, choose the best answer and click on the appropriate button.
When you are finished, press the NEXT button.

[You will hear a conversation or lecture when taking the actual test.]
[You will hear a question when taking the actual test.]

• She doesn't want the sweater.
• The price of the sweater was too high.
• The sweater doesn't fit her well.
• She doesn't have money for the sweater.

The audio will begin automatically at the beginning of each test item. Do not replay any part of the test item until the entire item has been played for the first time. On the actual test, there will be a "PLAY" button after each possible answer. To replay any part of the test item, you may click the appropriate "PLAY" button with the mouse.

On the actual test, please wait. The audio will begin automatically.

Question 2:
First, listen to the conversation and the question that follows.
Then, choose the best answer and click on the appropriate button.
When you are finished, press the NEXT button.

[You will hear a conversation or lecture when taking the actual test.]
[You will hear a question when taking the actual test.]

• "I still don't understand how to interpret poems."
• "I'll see you inside the door to the dining hall at 6 P.M."
• "Where are you going now? Are you going to class?"
• "Sure. Why don't we get together next week at the same time?"

Reading Skills

Read each passage, then answer the question. Some passages have one question and some have two questions. Pick the best answer from the choices below the question.

Here is a sample question. Read the passage, then choose the best answer to the question.

My cousin lived in the city from 1984 to 1989.

When did my cousin live in the city?

• after 1989
• before 1984
• between 1984 and 1989
• neither in 1984 nor in 1989

The correct answer is "between 1984 and 1989."
"My cousin lived in the city between 1984 and 1989."

Language Use

There will be two different kinds of questions in this test. You will see a sample of each kind with the correct answer indicated below.

1. Here is one kind of sample question.

The sentence below has a blank space. There are four words or phrases under the sentence. Choose the word or phrase that makes a grammatically correct sentence.

They _____________ the newspaper every day.

• reads
• is reading
• read
• does read

The correct answer is "read."
"They read the newspaper every day."

2. Here is another kind of question.

Two sentences will be followed by four possible answers. Choose the answer that best combines the two sentences. The answer must be a grammatically correct sentence. It must also express the same thought as the first two sentences do.

I sang in the choir. I enjoyed it.

• In the choir singing, I enjoyed.
• In the choir to sing, I enjoyed.
• I enjoyed to sing in the choir.
• I enjoyed singing in the choir.

The correct answer is "I enjoyed singing in the choir."

Sentence Meaning

There will be two different kinds of questions in this test. You will see a sample of each kind with the correct answer indicated below.

1. Here is one kind of sample question.

The sentence below has a blank space. Choose the word or phrase that makes the sentence meaningful and correct.

Mr. Swoboda grows roses, tomatoes, and carrots.
That is why his friends say that he is a good ___________ .

• gardener
• builder
• painter
• florist

The correct answer is "gardener."
"Mr. Swoboda is a good gardener."

2. Here is another kind of question.

Two sentences will be followed by a question. Choose the correct answer to the question.

The teacher called on Joe in class.

What did the teacher do?

• Shouted to Joe
• Asked Joe a question
• Telephoned Joe
• Visited Joe

The correct answer is "Asked Joe a question."
"The teacher asked Joe a question."

Note: These sample questions are from The College Board ACCUPLACER ONLINE website.