Welcome to the academic-writing self-placement questionnaire!

The questionnaire will help identify the academic writing course that is best for you. If you have not read about the university's Academic Writing Requirement, please take a few minutes to learn about it before you start.

How does the questionnaire work?
The questionnaire has four sections. The first three sections test your knowledge of English grammar, usage, and vocabulary. The fourth section asks you about your experiences and attitudes as a student of English. When you have completed the questionnaire and submitted your answers, the computer will suggest the best course for you.
Why should I take the questionnaire?
Not all students have the same reading and writing skills when they start university. You may be ready for the advanced reading and writing expected at university or you may need to strengthen your English writing skills first. The questionnaire will help identify the academic-writing course that best matches your level of proficiency in written English.
Do I have to take the questionnaire?
The self-placement questionnaire is not mandatory, but we recommend that all students take it so that they are able to choose the right academic writing course.
How long will the questionnaire take?
The questionnaire should take less than fifteen minutes, but you are free to take as much time as you need.
What happens to my questionnaire results?
The university may perform a statistical analysis of the questionnaire results, but does not record any information that could identify you.

 

Choose the answer that correctly fills in the blank.

1) The student explained to his teacher that he ________ his assignment last week.

finishes
finish
had finished
is finished

2) _________ of household pets in Canada has increased in recent years.

The number
A number
Number
Numbers

3) The residents found themselves face to face _________ a black bear that had wandered into their neighbourhood.

to
with
at
by

4) Just three years after the earthquake, a new city _______ from the rubble.

had arisen
had raised
arised
had arose

5) The waiter asked if _________ wanted more time before we ordered our meal.

she and me
her and me
her and I
she and I

6) He must have _________ home after he left the restaurant.

gone
went
go to
be

7) Caleb was __________ student in the class.

funniest
the funniest
most funniest
the funnier

8) Sharp talons are characteristic ______ birds of prey.

to
of
for
with

9) Even though both cities receive a lot of rain, Victoria gets less_________ Vancouver.

then
as
on
than

10) The novelist could not have imagined that his books _________ so popular.

would became
will become
would become
became

11) Either Aiden or Madeleine _________ to introduce the guest speaker.

are expected
expecting
is expected
expected

12) The graduation requirements are the same in _________ programs.

both
either
neither
every

13) The guitarist and the pianist, both graduates of UVic, _________ together each Friday.

performs
performing
to perform
perform

14) She moved out of her apartment, which she had lived in _________ four years.

during
for
since
from

15) Our employer agreed to split the remaining money between __________.

he and I
he and me
him and me
him and I

For each set of sentences, select the sentence that has no errors.

1)

A students books were found in the computer lab.
A students' books were found in the computer lab.
A student's books were found in the computer lab.

2)

After the war ended, a peace treaty was signed.
After the war ended and a peace treaty was signed.
After the war ended, and a peace treaty was signed.

3)

Who's sweater is this?
Whose sweater is this?
Whose sweater this is?

4)

Every region of British Columbia does not receive a lot of rain.
Not every region of British Columbia receives a lot of rain.
Every region of British Columbia receives not a lot of rain.

5)

She isn't used to your sense of humour.
She isn't use to your sense of humour.
She is'nt used to your sense of humour.

6)

The assignments are different in either course.
The assignments is different in each course.
The assignments are different in each course.

7)

Without their star player, the team should of known they would lose the game.
Without their star player, the team should have known they would lose the game.
Without their star player, the team should have known they would loose the game.

8)

The professor told the students to do the research theirselves.
The professor told the students to do the research themselves.
The professor told the students do the research themselves.

9)

Remember to call me if you're going to be late.
Remember to call me if your going to be late.
Remember call me if you're going to be late.

10)

You can ask for advise if you need help.
You can ask advice for if you need help.
You can ask for advice if you need help.

11)

I'd like to get my book back sooner than next week.
I'd like to get my book back sooner then next week.
I'd would like to get my book back sooner than next week.

12)

The police arrived 15 minutes later in the site of the accident.
The police arrived 15 minutes later at the sight of the accident.
The police arrived 15 minutes later at the site of the accident.

13)

The Okanagan is famous for it's wineries.
The Okanagan is famous for its' wineries.
The Okanagan is famous for its wineries.

14)

The instructor told the students their supposed to be ready by next Monday.
The instructor told the students they're supposed to be ready by next Monday.
The instructor told the students they're suppose to be ready by next Monday.

15)

Her complaint was taken serious because of the extent of her injuries.
Her complaint was taken seriously. Because of the extent of her injuries.
Her complaint was taken seriously because of the extent of her injuries.

Choose the correct definition.

1) prohibited

difficult to achieve
lacking confidence
forbidden
fragile

2) incidence

inquiry
alternative
hazard
frequency

3) subsequent

following after, in time or order
without hesitation
of lesser importance
resulting from an action

4) explicit

offensive
clear
revealed
likely

5) stance

an awkward movement
a group or collection
a section of a poem
a position or attitude

6) arbitrary

logical
discretionary
invaluable
reasonable

7) sufficient

of great importance
predictable
incorrect
as much as is needed

8) attain

improve
offer
achieve
refuse

9) constrain

contradict
resign
struggle
restrict

10) relevant

reasonable, based on logic
likely to cause a desired result
related to the matter at hand
resembling a story

11) ambiguous

having two possible meanings
able to write with either hand
appropriate under the circumstances
almost equal

12) enable

fail to happen
make possible
prevent from working
punish

13) duration

a hard surface
toughness or invicibility
the time something lasts
a hardship to be endured

14) adjacent

far from
next to
without warning
random

15) imply

suggest
conclude
analyze
misinform

For each of the following statements, choose the answer that best represents your experience and skills.

1) I am aware of the types of reading I will be expected to do at university.

not at all barely somewhat mostly completely

2) I read non-fiction books and articles about a variety of topics.

never rarely sometimes most of the time always

3) I find it easy to understand the reading I do for class assignments.

never barely sometimes most of the time always

4) I am aware of the types of writing I will be expected to do at university.

not at all barely somewhat mostly completely

5) I am familiar with the basic structure of an essay.

not at all barely somewhat mostly completely

6) I have written essays or reports longer than five pages.

never once a couple of times several times many times

7) I find it easy to think up ideas when I write.

never rarely sometimes most of the time always

8) I create a writing plan or outline before I start a writing assignment.

never rarely sometimes most of the time always

9) I can find the right words to make my ideas clear.

never rarely sometimes most of the time always

10) I can find and correct errors in my writing.

never rarely sometimes most of the time always

11) I am able to spell correctly.

not at all barely somewhat mostly completely

12) I know how to punctuate my writing.

not at all barely somewhat mostly completely

13) I know how to quote someone else's words correctly in my writing.

not at all barely somewhat mostly completely

14) I know how to revise my writing to improve it.

not at all barely somewhat mostly completely

15) I consider myself a strong reader and writer.

not at all barely somewhat mostly completely