OOPT Exam — Questions and Answers

Question 1: A colleague is describing a difficult project with a tight deadline. He says, 'We really had to ______ to finish the report on time.' Which idiom best completes the sentence?

cut corners
break the ice
burn the midnight oil (Correct answer)
call it a day

Correct answer: burn the midnight oil

The idiom 'burn the midnight oil' means to work late into the night. This fits the context of having to work hard to meet a tight deadline. 'Break the ice' means to initiate a conversation, 'cut corners' means to do something poorly to save time or money, and 'call it a day' means to stop working.

Question 2: Choose the correct collocation: 'The company launched a new ___ campaign.'

advertising (Correct answer)
advertisement
advertise
advert

Correct answer: advertising

'Advertising campaign' is the correct compound noun collocation.

Question 3: Select the sentence that correctly uses the impersonal passive structure:

It believes that the treasure was buried here.
It is believed that the treasure was buried here. (Correct answer)
It was believed the treasure has been buried here.
The treasure was believed to have buried here.

Correct answer: It is believed that the treasure was buried here.

'It is believed that...' is the correct impersonal passive structure used for reporting general beliefs or claims.

Question 4: A passage states: 'Despite the heavy rain, the outdoor concert went ahead as planned.' What does this sentence imply?

The concert was moved indoors.
The concert was canceled due to rain.
The rain stopped before the concert began.
The concert continued even though it was raining. (Correct answer)

Correct answer: The concert continued even though it was raining.

'Despite' signals a contrast, meaning the concert happened in spite of the rain.

Question 5: A voicemail says: 'Hi, this is Dr. Patel's office. We're calling to remind you about your appointment tomorrow at 2 PM. Please call us if you need to reschedule.' What is the main purpose of the message?

To remind and offer flexibility if needed (Correct answer)
To cancel an existing appointment
To confirm that the appointment has been changed
To ask the patient to arrive early

Correct answer: To remind and offer flexibility if needed

The message serves as a reminder and politely offers the option to reschedule.

Question 6: A weather forecast says: 'Expect sunny skies this morning, cloud cover by early afternoon, and a forty percent chance of rain after five o'clock.' When is rain most likely?

After 5:00 PM (Correct answer)
Throughout the day
Early afternoon
In the morning

Correct answer: After 5:00 PM

The forecast places the forty percent rain probability specifically after five o'clock.

Question 7: Which sentence uses a participial phrase correctly?

Running through the park, she was caught by the rain. (Correct answer)
While running through the park, the rain fell heavily.
Running through the park, the rain began to fall.
To run through the park, the rain was falling.

Correct answer: Running through the park, she was caught by the rain.

The participial phrase 'Running through the park' must refer to the subject of the main clause, which is 'she'.

Question 8: Which sentence demonstrates correct article usage with a post-modified abstract noun?

She had the knowledge that surpassed her colleagues.
She had knowledge that surpassed her colleagues.
She had the knowledge that her role required. (Correct answer)
She had a knowledge that surpassed her colleagues.

Correct answer: She had the knowledge that her role required.

Abstract nouns like 'knowledge' normally take zero article when used generally ('Knowledge is power'). However, when an abstract noun is post-modified by a relative clause that specifies and restricts it, the definite article 'the' is required — 'the knowledge that her role required' identifies a particular, defined body of knowledge. Option A (no article) would work only without post-modification. Option B ('a knowledge') is non-standard; 'knowledge' is uncountable. Option C's relative clause 'that surpassed her colleagues' modifies 'she', not 'knowledge', making it semantically odd with 'the'.

Question 9: Listen to a conversation between two colleagues about a business trip. Jane: 'Hi Mark. Are you all set for your trip to Berlin?' Mark: 'Almost. My flight is on Wednesday morning. I've booked my hotel, and my main presentation is scheduled for 2 PM on Thursday. I just need to remember to book a taxi to the airport.' Jane: 'Okay, sounds like you're organized. Just don't forget to print your presentation slides. The hotel business center can be unreliable.' What does Jane remind Mark to do?

Give his presentation at 2 PM.
Fly to Berlin on Wednesday.
Book a taxi to the airport.
Print his presentation slides. (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Print his presentation slides.

The correct answer is 'Print his presentation slides.' Mark mentions the other details himself (booking a taxi, his flight day, presentation time), but Jane's specific piece of advice is a reminder to print his slides.

Question 10: You hear: 'The conference runs from the 14th to the 17th, with registration opening on the 13th.' When does registration open?

14th
13th (Correct answer)
15th
17th

Correct answer: 13th

Registration opens on the 13th — the day before the conference starts on the 14th.

Question 11: A tour guide says: 'We have thirty minutes at the castle, forty-five at the market, and twenty at the viewpoint before we return to the bus at half past four.' The tour started at the castle at 2:55 PM. At what time do they leave the castle?

3:25 PM (Correct answer)
3:15 PM
3:40 PM
3:30 PM

Correct answer: 3:25 PM

Adding 30 minutes to the 2:55 PM start time gives 3:25 PM for leaving the castle.

Question 12: In order to improve, you must learn from your experiences, especially when you ______ a mistake.

do
take
make (Correct answer)
have

Correct answer: make

The verb 'make' is the standard and correct collocation with 'a mistake'. We always say 'make a mistake' to mean committing an error.

Question 13: Form the correct adjective from 'care': 'She gave a ___ answer.'

cared
careful (Correct answer)
careless
caring

Correct answer: careful

'Careful' = giving attention and thought. 'Careless' means inattentive. In context, 'careful' suits a thoughtful answer.

Question 14: By next June, she _____ at the company for ten years.

will work
has worked
will be working
will have worked (Correct answer)

Correct answer: will have worked

Future perfect 'will have worked' is used for actions completed by a specific future time.

Question 15: Choose the correct option: 'The project must be completed ___ Friday.'

until
at
on
by (Correct answer)

Correct answer: by

'By Friday' means no later than Friday; 'until Friday' would mean the activity continues up to that point.

Question 16: A podcast host says: 'Today we're not going to look at the statistics — we've all seen those. Instead, I want to talk to people who lived through it and hear what they remember.' What is the host's main intention?

To analyze data more carefully than previous episodes
To interview statistics experts about their methods
To argue that statistics are always misleading
To shift focus from data to personal experiences (Correct answer)

Correct answer: To shift focus from data to personal experiences

The host explicitly moves away from statistics toward firsthand human accounts.

Question 17: Identify the sentence with correct subject-verb agreement involving a collective noun.

The committee were divided on the issue.
The committee have divided on the issue.
The committee are divided on the issue.
The committee is divided on the issue. (Correct answer)

Correct answer: The committee is divided on the issue.

In American English, collective nouns like 'committee' typically take a singular verb.

Question 18: Which sentence correctly uses a reduced relative clause?

The woman standing by the door is my teacher. (Correct answer)
The woman who is standing by the door is my teacher.
The woman which stands by the door is my teacher.
The woman she is standing by the door is my teacher.

Correct answer: The woman standing by the door is my teacher.

The present participial phrase 'standing by the door' correctly reduces the relative clause 'who is standing by the door'.

Question 19: You read a paragraph ending with: 'In conclusion, renewable energy is not just an option — it is a necessity.' What is the purpose of this final sentence?

To introduce a new argument.
To summarize and reinforce the main point. (Correct answer)
To contradict the main argument.
To provide a specific example.

Correct answer: To summarize and reinforce the main point.

A concluding sentence introduced by 'in conclusion' restates and reinforces the central argument.

Question 20: Which sentence uses 'provided that' as a conditional linker correctly and with advanced meaning?

Provided that she had studied, she will pass.
The contract will be valid, provided that both parties sign before midnight. (Correct answer)
She will succeed, provided that she would have worked harder.
Provided that he would agree, we can proceed.

Correct answer: The contract will be valid, provided that both parties sign before midnight.

'Provided that' means 'on the condition that' and is followed by a present simple verb when expressing a real/first conditional scenario, just like 'if'. Options B, C, and D mix tenses incorrectly, pairing 'provided that' with past perfect or 'would' forms that violate conditional grammar rules.

Question 21: Which sentence expresses a wish about the present using a conditional structure?

I wish I knew the answer. (Correct answer)
I wish I know the answer.
I wish I had known the answer.
I wish I will know the answer.

Correct answer: I wish I knew the answer.

'I wish I knew' uses past simple to express an unreal present wish, mirroring second conditional structure.

Question 22: Which option correctly combines: 'He studied hard.' and 'He passed the exam.'

He studied hard although he passed the exam.
He studied hard, and so he passed the exam. (Correct answer)
He studied hard even though he passed the exam.
He passed the exam despite he studied hard.

Correct answer: He studied hard, and so he passed the exam.

'And so' correctly expresses a cause-and-effect relationship between studying hard and passing the exam.

Question 23: Choose the sentence in which 'if' is used to mean 'although' or 'even though' (concessive use), rather than as a conditional:

If I were you, I'd reconsider that decision.
The report is thorough, if a little difficult to follow. (Correct answer)
If she calls, please take a message.
If you heat water to 100°C, it boils.

Correct answer: The report is thorough, if a little difficult to follow.

In 'The report is thorough, if a little difficult to follow,' 'if' functions concessively, meaning 'even though' or 'albeit.' It introduces a minor qualification to a positive statement. This is a stylistic, advanced use of 'if' found frequently in formal and literary English. The other options all use 'if' in its standard conditional sense: A is a zero conditional (fact/general truth), B is a second conditional (hypothetical advice), and D is a first conditional (real possibility).

Question 24: A lecturer states: 'You need to submit Chapter 3 by Friday, not the whole assignment — that deadline is the following Monday.' What is due on Friday?

The whole assignment
Chapter 1
Chapters 1 and 3
Chapter 3 (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Chapter 3

Chapter 3 is due Friday; the whole assignment is due the following Monday.

Question 25: A text describes a character as 'reticent.' Based on context clues about their quiet behavior, what does 'reticent' mean?

Angry and confrontational.
Unwilling to speak much; reserved. (Correct answer)
Talkative and outgoing.
Confused and distracted.

Correct answer: Unwilling to speak much; reserved.

'Reticent' describes a person who is reluctant to speak or share information freely.

Question 26: A customer says to a salesperson, 'I'll think about it.' What does this most commonly imply?

They want a discount.
They are not interested but are being polite. (Correct answer)
They need more product information.
They are very likely to buy.

Correct answer: They are not interested but are being polite.

'I'll think about it' is a common polite way to decline without directly saying no.

Question 27: An advertisement states: 'Our new phone has a battery that lasts up to 48 hours.' What is the most accurate interpretation of 'up to 48 hours'?

The battery can last as long as 48 hours but may last less (Correct answer)
The battery lasts 48 hours only when fully charged at 100%
The battery lasts a minimum of 48 hours
The battery always lasts exactly 48 hours

Correct answer: The battery can last as long as 48 hours but may last less

'Up to' indicates the maximum possible, meaning the battery may last less than 48 hours under typical use.

Question 28: Which sentence correctly uses the zero article in a generic statement?

Some gold is a precious metal used in jewelry.
Gold is a precious metal used in jewelry. (Correct answer)
The gold is a precious metal used in jewelry.
A gold is a precious metal used in jewelry.

Correct answer: Gold is a precious metal used in jewelry.

Uncountable nouns used in generic statements (to speak about something in general) take the zero article. 'Gold' as a material/substance in a generalizing context requires no article. 'The gold' would imply a specific quantity of gold, and 'a gold' is ungrammatical since gold is uncountable.

Question 29: A sign at a park reads: 'Pets must be kept on a leash at all times.' A visitor arrives with a dog and lets it run free. What rule is the visitor breaking?

The dog must leave the park before closing time
Pets are not allowed in the park at all
The dog must be attached to a leash while in the park (Correct answer)
Visitors must register their pets at the entrance

Correct answer: The dog must be attached to a leash while in the park

The sign requires dogs to be on a leash throughout the visit, which the visitor has violated.

Question 30: A travel agent says: 'The room rate is 85 pounds per night on weekdays and 110 pounds on weekends. Breakfast adds an extra 12 pounds per person.' What is the weekday rate without breakfast?

97 pounds
110 pounds
85 pounds (Correct answer)
12 pounds

Correct answer: 85 pounds

The weekday rate is 85 pounds per night. The 12 pounds is for breakfast, which is extra.

Question 31: Choose the correct word: 'His ___ of the piano is remarkable.' (noun form of 'perform')

performed
performing
performer
performance (Correct answer)

Correct answer: performance

'Performance' is the noun form of 'perform' referring to the act of performing.

Question 32: Which word correctly completes the sentence: 'Her _______ to detail made her an excellent editor.'

attend
attendant
attentive
attention (Correct answer)

Correct answer: attention

'Attention' is the noun form needed after 'Her' to act as the subject of the phrase.

Question 33: Which sentence correctly uses a modal verb to ask for permission in a formal and polite way?

Can I leave the meeting early?
Must I leave the meeting early?
Will I leave the meeting early?
May I leave the meeting early? (Correct answer)

Correct answer: May I leave the meeting early?

'May' is traditionally used to ask for permission in a more formal and polite context. While 'can' is very common in informal speech for asking permission, 'may' is the more grammatically traditional and formal choice. 'Will' is for the future, and 'must' asks about obligation.

Question 34: The children were ___ by their grandfather's fascinating stories.

drawn in (Correct answer)
drawn out
drawn back
drawn up

Correct answer: drawn in

'Drawn in' means to be attracted to or captivated by something.

Question 35: You ______ touch that wire; it's extremely dangerous.

don't have to
might not
should
mustn't (Correct answer)

Correct answer: mustn't

'Mustn't' (must not) is used to express strong prohibition – something that is forbidden because it is dangerous or against the rules. 'Should' would be advice, 'might not' expresses a weak possibility, and 'don't have to' indicates a lack of obligation, which is too weak for this dangerous situation.

Question 36: Choose the correct option: 'He earns ___ good salary at his new job.'

an
a (Correct answer)
—
the

Correct answer: a

'A' is used with 'salary' because it is a singular countable noun and 'good' begins with a consonant sound.

Question 37: Select the correct form: 'He acted very _______ during the crisis.'

profession
professional
professionalize
professionally (Correct answer)

Correct answer: professionally

'Professionally' is the adverb that modifies the verb 'acted'.

Question 38: Which sentence correctly inverts subject and verb for emphasis?

Never have I seen such courage. (Correct answer)
Such courage never I have seen.
Never seen have I such courage.
Never I have seen such courage.

Correct answer: Never have I seen such courage.

When a negative adverb like 'never' begins a sentence, the auxiliary verb inverts before the subject.

Question 39: Which sentence correctly uses an inverted third conditional?

Had she known about the meeting, she would have attended. (Correct answer)
Should she have known about the meeting, she would have attended.
If she had known about the meeting, she would attend.
Were she to know about the meeting, she would have attended.

Correct answer: Had she known about the meeting, she would have attended.

Inverted third conditionals omit 'if' and invert the subject and auxiliary verb. 'Had she known' is the correct inversion of 'If she had known,' and the result clause correctly uses 'would have + past participle' for a hypothetical past situation.

Question 40: Which collocation is correct when discussing a solution to a problem?

invent a solution
create a solution
discover a solution
find a solution (Correct answer)

Correct answer: find a solution

'Find a solution' is the standard collocation used for resolving problems.

Question 41: You read: 'The study was conducted over a period of two decades, lending it considerable credibility.' What does 'lending it considerable credibility' mean?

The study was published in a credible journal.
The long duration made the study more trustworthy. (Correct answer)
The long duration made the study less reliable.
The study borrowed money over twenty years.

Correct answer: The long duration made the study more trustworthy.

'Lending credibility' means adding trustworthiness; the study's length makes its findings more believable.

Question 42: Choose the underlined section that contains an error: My buddy had been advised to make prudent investments with her inheritance, so she delayed to purchase those stocks offered on the exchange that afternoon.

delayed to purchase (Correct answer)
to make
with
had been advised

Correct answer: delayed to purchase

The verb "delayed" should be followed by a gerund (the -ing form of a verb) rather than an infinitive. The correct phrasing would be "delayed purchasing" those stocks. Many verbs, including "delay," take a gerund to complete their meaning.

Question 43: Which of the following sentences uses an idiom to mean 'something is very easy'?

Don't worry, the presentation will be a piece of cake. (Correct answer)
He's feeling under the weather today.
I think you're barking up the wrong tree.
That new sports car must have cost an arm and a leg.

Correct answer: Don't worry, the presentation will be a piece of cake.

The idiom 'a piece of cake' means that something is very easy to do. The other options are also idioms: 'under the weather' means feeling ill, 'barking up the wrong tree' means pursuing a mistaken course of action, and 'cost an arm and a leg' means something is very expensive.

Question 44: A teacher says to a class: 'Before we go any further, I want to make sure everyone is on the same page. Can someone summarize what we covered last week?' What is the teacher's main purpose?

To assign homework about last week's topic
To test students with a surprise quiz
To introduce a completely new subject
To ensure shared understanding before moving forward (Correct answer)

Correct answer: To ensure shared understanding before moving forward

The teacher pauses to confirm collective comprehension before continuing with new material.

Question 45: A librarian says: 'Standard members can borrow up to five books for two weeks. Premium members can borrow ten books for a month. Renewals are allowed once for standard members but twice for premium.' A standard member wants to keep a book as long as possible. What is the maximum loan period?

Two weeks
Six weeks
Three weeks
Four weeks (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Four weeks

Standard members borrow for two weeks and can renew once, giving a maximum of four weeks.

Question 46: My phone battery ___ just as I was about to make an important call.

ran away
ran over
ran off
ran out (Correct answer)

Correct answer: ran out

'Run out' means to use up or exhaust a supply of something.

Question 47: A news report states: 'Scientists have identified a new species of deep-sea fish. The discovery challenges previous assumptions about life at extreme depths.' What is the main point of the report?

Deep-sea exploration has become too expensive
A new finding is changing scientific understanding (Correct answer)
Scientists disagree about how to classify the fish
The fish species is endangered

Correct answer: A new finding is changing scientific understanding

The report highlights that the discovery is significant because it updates existing scientific beliefs.

Question 48: Which of the following sentences uses the correct adjectival form of the noun 'danger'?

The journey through the mountains was very dangerful.
The sign warned of the cliff's dangerness.
Walking on the icy path is extremely dangerous. (Correct answer)
He is known for his danger-seeking attitude.

Correct answer: Walking on the icy path is extremely dangerous.

The correct adjective formed from the noun 'danger' is 'dangerous', which means full of danger or likely to cause harm. The other options are not standard English words.

Question 49: The manager asked us to ___ the report before submitting it to the client.

look after
look over (Correct answer)
look up to
look into

Correct answer: look over

'Look over' means to examine or review something carefully.

Question 50: At a restaurant, a diner says to the waiter: 'The food was... interesting.' What does this likely mean?

The food was exactly what they expected.
The food was mediocre or disappointing but they are being polite. (Correct answer)
The food was excellent and memorable.
The food was unusual but enjoyable.

Correct answer: The food was mediocre or disappointing but they are being polite.

Using 'interesting' with a pause often implies the food was not good — it's a polite way to avoid saying something negative.

Question 51: During a lecture, a professor says: 'The exam covers chapters three, four, and six — note that chapter five is excluded.' A student who only studies chapters three through six misses which important detail?

Chapter three is excluded
Chapter five is excluded (Correct answer)
Chapter four is excluded
Chapter six is excluded

Correct answer: Chapter five is excluded

The professor specifically stated that chapter five is not included in the exam.

Question 52: You overhear someone on the phone: 'I appreciate the offer, and it's very generous, but I think it's just not the right time for us. Maybe in a few months things will look different.' What is the speaker mainly doing?

Asking for more information before deciding
Complaining about the terms of an offer
Politely declining an offer for now (Correct answer)
Accepting an offer enthusiastically

Correct answer: Politely declining an offer for now

The speaker thanks the caller but declines, leaving open the possibility of reconsidering later.

Question 53: Which sentence correctly uses a preposition of time?

She was born in 15th March.
We have a meeting on the morning.
They usually go on holiday in August. (Correct answer)
He arrived to the office at Monday.

Correct answer: They usually go on holiday in August.

Option C is correct. 'In August' correctly uses 'in' for months. Option A should be 'on 15th March' (use 'on' for specific dates). Option B should be 'in the morning' (use 'in' for parts of the day, not 'on'). Option D should be 'at the office on Monday' — 'at' is for locations, and 'on' is for days of the week.

Question 54: A neighbor leaves a note: 'Could you water my plants on Tuesday and Friday mornings? Give the indoor ones half a cup each and the outdoor ones a full cup.' How much water do the outdoor plants get per watering?

Three-quarters of a cup
A quarter cup
A full cup (Correct answer)
Half a cup

Correct answer: A full cup

The note specifies a full cup for the outdoor plants.

Question 55: Complete with the correct collocation: 'The government needs to ___ action on climate change.'

do
take (Correct answer)
make
have

Correct answer: take

'Take action' is the correct collocation — not 'do', 'make', or 'have' action.

Question 56: Listen to a voicemail message. 'Hi, it's Mark. I'm calling about our meeting tomorrow. I'm really sorry, but I have a family emergency and I won't be able to make it. I was hoping we could find another time later this week. Please give me a call back when you get this. Thanks.' What is the main reason for Mark's call?

To confirm the time of the meeting
To cancel and reschedule the meeting (Correct answer)
To discuss what to bring to the meeting
To ask for directions to the meeting place

Correct answer: To cancel and reschedule the meeting

Mark explicitly states he 'won't be able to make' the meeting due to an emergency and then immediately asks to 'find another time,' making the cancellation and rescheduling the clear purpose of his message.

Question 57: A documentary narrator says: 'Once considered a wasteland, the site has been transformed into a thriving urban park, attracting visitors, supporting wildlife, and revitalising the surrounding neighbourhood.' What is the main message?

The park has attracted too many visitors.
A previously neglected site has been successfully redeveloped. (Correct answer)
Urban areas are generally harmful to wildlife.
Wildlife is struggling in urban environments.

Correct answer: A previously neglected site has been successfully redeveloped.

The gist is a positive transformation story — a neglected site turned into a successful urban park.

Question 58: Which option correctly uses an appositive phrase?

My brother works long hours, a doctor.
My brother, who is a doctor he works long hours.
My brother a doctor works long hours.
My brother, a doctor, works long hours. (Correct answer)

Correct answer: My brother, a doctor, works long hours.

An appositive phrase is set off by commas and placed directly after the noun it renames.

Question 59: Rome is one of _______ cities in Europe.

the older
older
the oldest (Correct answer)
most old

Correct answer: the oldest

The pattern 'one of the + superlative + plural noun' is standard in English. 'The oldest' is correct. 'The older' is comparative, not superlative. 'Older' without 'the' does not fit the 'one of' structure. 'Most old' incorrectly uses 'most' with a one-syllable adjective that forms its superlative with -est.

Question 60: Choose the correct modal: 'The lights are on. She ___ be home.'

must (Correct answer)
would
should
shall

Correct answer: must

'Must' expresses logical deduction — the lights being on is evidence she is probably home.

OOPT Exam

The Oxford Online Placement Test is an adaptive test measuring English language proficiency through listening and reading tasks, placing learners on the CEFR scale.

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30 min

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60%

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