English Skills Assessment

Section 1
Part 1Grammar and Usage:
Circle the correct choice in each example.
1. The memo had the desired affect/effect on the staff.
2. The reporter was notorious for flaunting/flouting her awards.
3. The principle/principal of the school demanded lesson plans every week.
4. The quarterbacks mistake led/lead to a loss.
5. They tried repelling/rappelling down the side of the building.
6. After the car accident, she couldnt move the affected/effected arm.
7. The editor recently emigrated/immigrated from Canada to the United States.
8. The Times is among the few papers that do/does respond to reader comments.
9. He agreed to lend/loan me his computer.
10. No farther/further discussion would be tolerated in this class.
Part 2
Select the correct answer
1. ___ luggage are you going to take?
How many
How much
2. ___ do we have to go at two o'clock?
Where
When

3. The people decided to ___ up against the new government politics.

rise
raise
4. It has been five years since I last ___ French.
have spoken
was speaking
spoke
have been speaking
5. People ________ live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones.
who
which
that
Section 2
Reading & Comprehension
Read the following passage and answer the questions below.
Providing quick and extensive coverage of local, national, and international news has
been part of the avowed mission of television from the beginning. In 1963 Lee
Harvey Oswald, the captured suspect in the assassination of President Kennedy, was
gunned down while police were escorting him to a prison. It happened in front of
countless television news cameras and reporters and an audience of millions. A media
event of such magnitude did not occur that often, but since that time, as broadcast
technology has grown more sophisticated and on-scene reporters are whisked to far
distant locales in a matter of hours, attentive viewers now have a more in-depth
knowledge of world happenings than did earlier generations. A dramatic example was
the coverage of the Gulf War against Iraq in 1991, when the United Nations air
attacks on Baghdad were shown as they were taking place, not once, but day after
day. After a devastating storm, earthquake, fire, or flood, the field crew is there
almost immediately, often accompanying survivors as they see their ruined homes for
the first time.
It can beand indeed has beenargued that there is more to the popularity of such
broadcasts than the desire for instant knowledge of world events. Television has been
accused of pandering to audience enjoyment of the disastrous and the violent. The
morning and evening local coverage is likely, especially in metropolitan areas, to
focus on appalling crimes as well as accidents with multiple fatalities. When asked

why his station allotted so much time in violence, one executive in charge answered:
"Because its news." Yet are we to define news largely in terms of disaster? One
theory may be that, in the morning, people busily preparing for a stressful day,
become less apprehensive or depressed when they watch how much better off they are
than the unfortunate victims who made the news. In the evening many are willing to
watch violent happenings after the stressful day happened anyway. Sunday morning
news programming tends to cover much of the same material, but usually in a more
reflective, analytical manner, suitable for a day specifically designed to be free of
stress. Some of the commercials accompanying news and serious discussion
programs are aimed at retirees and older professionals, likely to want to feel better
about the problems of personal health that come with age; thus, interspersed with the
news, are segments with titles like "Keeping Young after Fifty" and "You and Your
Health." Much time is spent assuring the target audience that cures are on the way for
ailments they now have or surely will have in the future. Sponsors for these segments
sell the latest diets, exercise equipment, vitamin supplements, remedies for everything
from depression to impotence, and insurance policies that do not require medical
examinations. These commercials also ensure continuing employment for older,
healthy-appearing actors. Other news-time commercials such as those that advertise
stockbrokers, are directed toward a similar audience, but one that also includes
younger professionals concerned about future financial security. These tend to keep a
low profile, employ soft-spoken actors, and generally more slowly paced than those
aimed at a general audience.
One inference the author is asking the reader to make in paragraph 1 is that television has
met its optimal goal of quick coverage of the news.
True
False
Since broadcast technology has lagged behind, all news events are first filmed and then
shown to the public hours after they have occurred.
True
False
The last sentence of paragraph 1 is a detail that supports the main idea.
True
False
The author implies that television excludes much news worthy information in exchange
for violent events.

True
False
Metropolitan areas are less likely to focus on crime and fatal accidents.
True
False
The author implies that the Sunday morning news programming is more toned down
because people generally relax on Sundays and don't want to become hyper from
watching stressful events.
True
False
According to the author, people like to watch violent happenings on the news while
getting ready for work because it makes them appreciate their more fortunate
circumstances.
True
False
From this passage, we can conclude that older professionals and retirees value good
health.
True
False
Older actors who appear healthy benefit from the retiree's interest in good health.
True
False
News-time commercials that advertise stockbrokers are targeted only at the younger
professionals.
True
False

Section 3
Writing Skills
1) Write a small paragraph on any current world news event. Present your
viewpoint/comments on the same. (100 words)
Or
2) Write a review on any Hollywood movie that youve seen. (100 words)