HiSET Language Arts Writing Practice Test

25 practice questions

Choose an answer, then check it under Show answer.

1. Question 1 of 25Hard

   Read this paragraph. (1) The empty lot on Maple Street should become a community garden. (2) A garden would give neighbors a shared project to work on together. (3) It would also provide fresh vegetables for families nearby. Which sentence, if added after sentence 3, would best support the claim that the garden would strengthen the neighborhood?

   1. AA. Neighbors who garden side by side often get to know and help one another.
   2. BB. Some community gardens sell their extra produce at local farmers markets.
   3. CC. Tomatoes, peppers, and beans grow well in this region's warm climate.
   4. DD. The empty lot on Maple Street has sat unused for more than five years.
   Show answer to question 1

   Answer: A. Neighbors who garden side by side often get to know and help one another.

   The sentence about neighbors getting to know and help one another shows how a garden could build ties, which is exactly the claim about strengthening the neighborhood. The sentence about the unused lot is tempting because it explains why the site is available, but it says nothing about the effect on the neighborhood.

2. Question 2 of 25Easy

   Read this sentence from a draft of a community newsletter. The new community garden opened last month. The writer wants to answer the question readers will most likely ask after this sentence. Which sentence should be added?

   1. AA. The garden was built on the site of an old parking lot.
   2. BB. Many volunteers worked hard to make the garden possible.
   3. CC. It is open to all residents from sunrise to sunset.
   4. DD. Gardening is a popular hobby in many communities.
   Show answer to question 2

   Answer: C. It is open to all residents from sunrise to sunset.

   Readers who learn that a garden has opened will wonder when they can use it, so the sentence about hours and eligibility answers that likely question. The sentence about the old parking lot gives background but does not tell readers when or how they can visit.

3. Question 3 of 25Medium

   Read the sentences. The city council approved funding for a new community park. The park will feature walking trails and an inclusive playground. Which is the best way to combine these sentences into a single, concise sentence?

   1. AA. The city council approved funding for a new community park, but it will feature walking trails and an inclusive playground.
   2. BB. Approving funding for a new community park, walking trails and an inclusive playground will be featured by the city council.
   3. CC. Featuring walking trails and an inclusive playground, funding for a new community park was approved by the city council.
   4. DD. The city council approved funding for a new community park, which will feature walking trails and an inclusive playground.
   Show answer to question 3

   Answer: D. The city council approved funding for a new community park, which will feature walking trails and an inclusive playground.

   Combining the sentences with a nonrestrictive relative clause using 'which' smoothly links the park to its planned features without altering the original meaning. The choice starting with 'Featuring walking trails...' creates a dangling modifier, incorrectly suggesting that the funding itself features the trails and playground.

4. Question 4 of 25Medium

   Read the sentence: "Many modern electric vehicles can travel over three hundred miles on a single charge, however, charging stations are still sparse in rural areas." Which revision of the underlined portion ("charge, however, charging") correctly repairs the run-on sentence?

   1. AA. charge, however charging
   2. BB. charge; however, charging
   3. CC. charge; however charging
   4. DD. charge however, charging
   Show answer to question 4

   Answer: B. charge; however, charging

   The word 'however' is a conjunctive adverb, not a coordinating conjunction, so it cannot link two independent clauses with only commas. Joining the two clauses with a semicolon before the conjunctive adverb and a comma after it correctly eliminates the comma splice. Simply omitting one or both commas fails to solve the run-on error and disrupts conventional punctuation rules.

5. Question 5 of 25Medium

   Read the sentence and choose the option that correctly completes the comparison. The head chef announced that she would rather prepare every soup from scratch than ________.

   1. AA. use prepackaged ingredients
   2. BB. using prepackaged ingredients
   3. CC. to use prepackaged ingredients
   4. DD. she will use prepackaged ingredients
   Show answer to question 5

   Answer: A. use prepackaged ingredients

   The sentence uses the comparative structure "would rather [verb] than [verb]." Because the first part of the comparison uses the base form of the verb ("prepare"), the second element must also use a base verb ("use prepackaged ingredients") to remain parallel. The choice with the participle "using prepackaged ingredients" introduces an inconsistent verb form that disrupts the parallel flow.

6. Question 6 of 25Easy

   Choose the option that best completes the sentence. After only two hours of deliberation, the jury announced ___ verdict

   1. AA. its
   2. BB. theirs
   3. CC. their
   4. DD. his
   Show answer to question 6

   Answer: A. its

   A collective noun such as "jury" acts as a single unit, so it takes the singular pronoun "its." "Their" is tempting because a jury is made up of many people, but the group is speaking with one voice here.

7. Question 7 of 25Easy

   Which verb form correctly completes the sentence? The warning signs along the perimeter of the construction site ________ clearly visible to pedestrians.

   1. AA. is
   2. BB. were
   3. CC. has been
   4. DD. was
   Show answer to question 7

   Answer: B. were

   The subject of the sentence is the plural noun signs, which requires the plural verb were. The singular nouns perimeter and site are both objects of intervening prepositional phrases and do not affect the agreement. Choosing was incorrectly matches the verb to the nearest singular noun site rather than the true subject.

8. Question 8 of 25Medium

   Which sentence makes it clear that the car, not the buyer, had leather seats?

   1. AA. The dealer sold the car to the buyer with leather seats.
   2. BB. With leather seats, the dealer sold the car to the buyer.
   3. CC. The dealer sold the buyer a car with leather seats.
   4. DD. The dealer with leather seats sold the car to the buyer.
   Show answer to question 8

   Answer: C. The dealer sold the buyer a car with leather seats.

   In the correct sentence, the phrase with leather seats comes right after car, so it clearly describes the car. The sentence saying the dealer sold the car to the buyer with leather seats suggests that the buyer had the leather seats.

9. Question 9 of 25Easy

   Choose the sentence that correctly uses the contraction "it's" or the possessive pronoun "its."

   1. AA. It's clear that the committee needs more time to review the budget.
   2. BB. The tree lost all of it's leaves during the severe storm.
   3. CC. The company updated it's logo to attract a younger audience.
   4. DD. The bird flapped it's wings rapidly before taking off.
   Show answer to question 9

   Answer: A. It's clear that the committee needs more time to review the budget.

   The contraction "it's" stands for "it is," which makes the sentence read correctly as "It is clear that the committee needs more time." Possessive pronouns like "its" do not take apostrophes, making the use of "it's" to describe ownership of a logo, wings, or leaves incorrect.

10. Question 10 of 25Medium

    Read the paragraph. A few years ago, the river that runs through Milltown was muddy and littered with trash. Local volunteers began spending one Saturday a month removing debris and planting grasses along the bank. Water tests now show that the river is cleaner, and herons and turtles have returned. Residents say the riverfront has become a place where families gather for picnics and walks. Which sentence best states the controlling idea of the paragraph?

    1. AA. The river restoration has helped both the environment and the community.
    2. BB. Volunteers removed trash from the river once a month.
    3. CC. The river in Milltown was once muddy and littered with trash.
    4. DD. Herons and turtles are common animals in rivers.
    Show answer to question 10

    Answer: A. The river restoration has helped both the environment and the community.

    The paragraph describes cleaner water, returning wildlife, and new community use, so the controlling idea should include both environmental and community benefits. The monthly trash removal is one supporting detail, and the other choices are either a detail or an unrelated general statement.

11. Question 11 of 25Hard

    Read the passage and answer the question. The study examined how urban trees affect summer temperatures. Researchers measured shade coverage and air temperature on twelve city blocks. [The results were totally mind-blowing and proved that trees are basically nature's air conditioners.] Which revision of the bracketed sentence best maintains the objective, academic tone of the passage?

    1. AA. The results were amazing and proved that trees are like air conditioners for cities.
    2. BB. The results were impressive and showed that trees act like natural cooling systems.
    3. CC. The findings indicated that trees can lower temperatures substantially.
    4. DD. The findings were striking and demonstrated that trees provide significant cooling.
    Show answer to question 11

    Answer: C. The findings indicated that trees can lower temperatures substantially.

    The passage reports research findings in an objective, academic tone, so the revision should avoid emotional or exaggerated language. 'The findings indicated that trees can lower temperatures substantially' states the result in neutral terms. 'Impressive,' 'striking,' and 'amazing' introduce personal reactions or exaggeration that do not fit the objective tone.

12. Question 12 of 25Medium

    Consider this sentence: An investigation of the financial records was conducted by the auditors in order to make a determination of whether fraud occurred. Which revision expresses the idea most directly and naturally?

    1. AA. The records were investigated by the auditors to make an accurate determination about fraud.
    2. BB. The auditors investigated the financial records to determine whether fraud had occurred.
    3. CC. In investigating the financial records, a determination on fraud was made by the auditors.
    4. DD. The auditors made an investigation into the records so as to see whether fraud had occurred.
    Show answer to question 12

    Answer: B. The auditors investigated the financial records to determine whether fraud had occurred.

    Replacing buried verbs and nominalizations such as 'conducted an investigation' and 'make a determination' with direct verbs like 'investigated' and 'determine' creates active, natural phrasing. Phrases that keep noun forms like 'made an investigation' retain the sluggish, clumsy rhythm of the original sentence.

13. Question 13 of 25Easy

    Read the following paragraph: Community gardens offer numerous advantages to urban neighborhoods. By converting vacant lots into fertile plots, residents can grow fresh, affordable vegetables that might otherwise be difficult to find in local stores. Tending the soil also provides light physical exercise and time outdoors, both of which reduce daily stress. Most importantly, these shared plots bring neighbors together, encouraging people of diverse backgrounds to collaborate and build lasting friendships. Which sentence provides the most effective conclusion to reinforce the central idea of the paragraph?

    1. AA. Ultimately, community gardens enrich urban neighborhoods by promoting physical health and social unity.
    2. BB. In addition, gardeners must be vigilant about keeping weeds and insects away from their crops.
    3. CC. Commercial farms produce far more food per acre than small community plots ever could.
    4. DD. Purchasing seeds and gardening tools can sometimes be expensive for first-time gardeners.
    Show answer to question 13

    Answer: A. Ultimately, community gardens enrich urban neighborhoods by promoting physical health and social unity.

    The paragraph highlights how community gardens provide fresh food, exercise, stress relief, and neighborhood connections. The statement asserting that community gardens enrich neighborhoods by promoting physical health and social unity effectively summarizes these varied benefits and reinforces the central idea. The statement regarding the expense of seeds introduces an unrelated drawback, which detracts from the paragraph's positive focus.

14. Question 14 of 25Medium

    Read the paragraphs. Paragraph 1: The new community garden has brought neighbors together and produced fresh vegetables for local families. Paragraph 2: [blank] Which sentence best begins the second paragraph to contrast with the first?

    1. AA. In addition, the garden has become a popular place for neighborhood events.
    2. BB. For example, the garden sells extra produce at a local farmers market.
    3. CC. As a result, many residents have started growing vegetables at home.
    4. DD. Nevertheless, maintaining the garden requires many hours of volunteer work each week.
    Show answer to question 14

    Answer: D. Nevertheless, maintaining the garden requires many hours of volunteer work each week.

    The first paragraph lists benefits of the garden, so the second paragraph needs a sentence that introduces a contrasting drawback. 'Nevertheless' correctly signals that contrast, while 'In addition' would incorrectly continue the list of benefits.

15. Question 15 of 25Hard

    Which sentence correctly separates two independent clauses that each contain commas?

    1. AA. The violinist, who joined last year, practices daily; the pianist, a founding member; arranges the music.
    2. BB. The violinist, who joined last year; practices daily, the pianist, a founding member, arranges the music.
    3. CC. The violinist, who joined last year, practices daily, the pianist, a founding member, arranges the music.
    4. DD. The violinist, who joined last year, practices daily; the pianist, a founding member, arranges the music.
    Show answer to question 15

    Answer: D. The violinist, who joined last year, practices daily; the pianist, a founding member, arranges the music.

    When independent clauses already contain commas, a semicolon makes the break between the clauses clear. Using only a comma between the clauses creates a comma splice. Placing a semicolon inside a clause, between the subject and verb, breaks up a single statement incorrectly.

16. Question 16 of 25Medium

    Read the paragraph. Adding a school garden would improve students' science learning. Students would spend time outdoors. They would also work with their hands. The garden would make science class more effective. Which sentence best supports the claim that a garden would improve science learning?

    1. AA. Gardening requires tools, seeds, and regular watering.
    2. BB. Many students already grow vegetables with their families at home.
    3. CC. In the garden, students could observe plant growth and record changes over time.
    4. DD. A garden would make the school grounds more attractive to visitors.
    Show answer to question 16

    Answer: C. In the garden, students could observe plant growth and record changes over time.

    The sentence about observing plant growth and recording changes ties garden work directly to science learning. The sentence about making the grounds more attractive addresses appearance, not science skills.

17. Question 17 of 25Medium

    Read the sentence below: "Whenever you feel overwhelmed by your workload," the counselor advised, "Take a short walk to clear your mind." Which change should be made to correct the sentence?

    1. AA. Change "Whenever" to "whenever"
    2. BB. Change "Take" to "take"
    3. CC. Change "mind" to "Mind"
    4. DD. Change "counselor" to "Counselor"
    Show answer to question 17

    Answer: B. Change "Take" to "take"

    When an attribution tag interrupts a single quotation and the second half merely finishes the ongoing sentence, the first word of the continuation must begin with a lowercase letter. Changing "Whenever" to lowercase is incorrect because the first word of any quotation that opens a sentence must be capitalized.

18. Question 18 of 25Easy

    Read the excerpt from a draft of an article. The community garden lacked adequate irrigation during the summer heat wave. ________, many of the vegetable plants withered before harvest. Which transitional phrase belongs in the blank to signal the result of the drought conditions?

    1. AA. Meanwhile
    2. BB. As a result
    3. CC. For example
    4. DD. In contrast
    Show answer to question 18

    Answer: B. As a result

    The phrase 'As a result' indicates that the withering of the plants was a direct consequence of the lack of irrigation. In contrast, 'In contrast' indicates opposition or difference, which does not reflect the causal connection between the sentences.

19. Question 19 of 25Easy

    Before a job interview, research the company's products and services. Arrive at least ten minutes early. Bring several copies of your resume. The company was founded by two brothers in 1998. Which sentence should be removed from the paragraph?

    1. AA. Before a job interview, research the company's products and services.
    2. BB. Arrive at least ten minutes early.
    3. CC. The company was founded by two brothers in 1998.
    4. DD. Bring several copies of your resume.
    Show answer to question 19

    Answer: C. The company was founded by two brothers in 1998.

    The paragraph gives advice about preparing for a job interview, so every sentence should describe a preparation step. The sentence about the company's founding may seem useful because it mentions the company, but it is background information rather than interview preparation. The other sentences all describe actions an applicant can take before the interview.

20. Question 20 of 25Hard

    Which word provides the most precise meaning in the context of the sentence? The lead researcher cautioned that the study's early conclusions were merely [short-term] and subject to revision after larger trials were conducted.

    1. AA. passing
    2. BB. perishable
    3. CC. fleeting
    4. DD. provisional
    Show answer to question 20

    Answer: D. provisional

    The word "provisional" specifically describes arrangements or conclusions accepted for the present time but intended to be updated or confirmed later, matching the scientific context. Words such as "fleeting" and "passing" refer merely to short durations of time, while "perishable" refers to physical goods that are prone to decay.

21. Question 21 of 25Medium

    Choose the word that correctly completes the sentence. The mayor, along with the council members, ___ the new budget.

    1. AA. support
    2. BB. supports
    3. CC. are supporting
    4. DD. have supported
    Show answer to question 21

    Answer: B. supports

    The phrase "along with the council members" is a parenthetical addition, not part of the subject, so the singular subject "mayor" takes the singular verb "supports." Choosing "support" is the common error of treating the added phrase as a compound subject.

22. Question 22 of 25Medium

    Choose the word that correctly completes the sentence. Exhausted from a double shift at the hospital, Elena _____ on the sofa and fell asleep almost immediately.

    1. AA. laid
    2. BB. lied
    3. CC. lain
    4. DD. lay
    Show answer to question 22

    Answer: D. lay

    The sentence requires the simple past tense of the intransitive verb 'to lie' (meaning to recline), which is 'lay.' The word 'laid' is incorrect because it is the past tense of the transitive verb 'to lay' (meaning to place something down), which requires a direct object.

23. Question 23 of 25Hard

    Read the paragraph. Then choose the sentence that would best serve as its topic sentence. (1) Three summers after volunteers planted five hundred trees along Elm Avenue, summer temperatures on the street measured several degrees lower than on nearby streets with no trees. (2) Shade has also cut air-conditioning use in homes that face the avenue. (3) Residents say the street is quieter and more pleasant to walk.

    1. AA. Planting trees lowers summer temperatures in every city.
    2. BB. Trees reduce air-conditioning bills in nearby homes.
    3. CC. Volunteers planted five hundred trees along Elm Avenue.
    4. DD. Trees on Elm Avenue have brought several benefits.
    Show answer to question 23

    Answer: D. Trees on Elm Avenue have brought several benefits.

    The details list cooling, lower energy use, and a more pleasant street, so the topic sentence should sum up the benefits of the trees on this one street. The sentence about every city is too broad and goes beyond what the paragraph says about Elm Avenue.

24. Question 24 of 25Hard

    Choose the option that best corrects the underlined portion of the sentence. Maintaining accurate financial records throughout the fiscal year, ensures that the organization remains eligible for grant funding.

    1. AA. fiscal year, ensures
    2. BB. fiscal year: ensures
    3. CC. fiscal year ensures
    4. DD. fiscal year; ensures
    Show answer to question 24

    Answer: C. fiscal year ensures

    The opening gerund phrase serves as the complete subject of the sentence and must not be separated from its verb with a comma. Writers often mistake gerund phrases for introductory participial modifiers and incorrectly insert a comma before the verb 'ensures.'

25. Question 25 of 25Hard

    Read the paragraph. A student claims that adding a walking path around the school track would encourage more students to exercise. A survey of students found that some would use a walking path if it were available. Which sentence best integrates the evidence without overstating it?

    1. AA. A walking path is a good idea because exercise is healthy.
    2. BB. The survey suggests that a walking path would encourage some students to exercise.
    3. CC. The survey proves that every student will use the walking path.
    4. DD. Some students might use the path, but many will not.
    Show answer to question 25

    Answer: B. The survey suggests that a walking path would encourage some students to exercise.

    The correct sentence uses the survey to support the claim while limiting it to "some students," which matches the evidence. Saying the survey "proves" that "every student" will use the path overstates what the evidence shows.

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