• 60 questions

HSPT Language Practice Test

Punctuation, capitalization, usage, spelling and composition questions, as many as the real Language subtest has.

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Which sentence about a fire drill has a punctuation mistake?

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Unofficial practice questions, not affiliated with Scholastic Testing Service, the publisher of the HSPT. Bank checked October 12, 2026.

The real subtest: HSPT Language

Retakes
The publisher recommends taking the HSPT once. A school or diocese may allow a retest, case by case.
Questions
60 of the 298 on the whole test.
What it measures
How well a student knows the conventions of standard English.
Skills
Punctuation, capitalization, spelling, grammar, usage and composition.
Scores it counts in
Total Basic Skills, with Reading and Mathematics, and the Composite of all five subtests.
Wrong answers
No points are taken off, so there is no penalty for guessing.

Checked October 12, 2026 against HSPT Interpretive Manual (Scholastic Testing Service, 2021) and the publisher's HSPT pages for parents. Rules change, so confirm with the agency itself before your test.

HSPT pages for parents, on the publisher's website

Next step More rules: basic grammarAll five subtests: HSPT practice

All 60 questions with answers

Punctuation and capitalization 12

  • Which sentence about a bus stop has a punctuation mistake? Answer: Rosa asked whether the bus had left? Source: HSPT Interpretive Manual (Scholastic Testing Service, 2021), sample Performance Profile, page 23: Language, Punctuation. Rule: GPO Style Manual (2016), rule 8.108, indirect question; Common Core standard L.1.2.b
  • Which sentence about a car ride has a punctuation mistake? Answer: Please roll up the window Jordan. Source: HSPT Interpretive Manual (Scholastic Testing Service, 2021), sample Performance Profile, page 23: Language, Punctuation. Rule: GPO Style Manual (2016), rule 8.48, direct address; Common Core standard L.5.2.c
  • Which sentence about a coat closet has a punctuation mistake? Answer: The mens' boots were lined up in a row. Source: HSPT Interpretive Manual (Scholastic Testing Service, 2021), sample Performance Profile, page 23: Language, Punctuation. Rule: GPO Style Manual (2016), rule 8.3; Common Core standard L.3.2.d
  • Which sentence about a family dinner has a capitalization mistake? Answer: My grandmother speaks spanish at home. Source: HSPT Interpretive Manual (Scholastic Testing Service, 2021), sample Performance Profile, page 23: Language, Capitalization. Rule: Purdue Online Writing Lab, "A Little Help with Capitals"; Common Core standard L.4.2.a
Show all 60 questions (56 more)

Punctuation and capitalization, continued

  • Which sentence about a farm stand has a punctuation mistake? Answer: Two farmer's run the stand together. Source: HSPT Interpretive Manual (Scholastic Testing Service, 2021), sample Performance Profile, page 23: Language, Punctuation. Rule: Purdue Online Writing Lab, "The Apostrophe" (no apostrophe for noun plurals); Common Core standard L.2.2.c
  • Which sentence about a fire drill has a punctuation mistake? Answer: When the alarm rang we lined up at the door. Source: HSPT Interpretive Manual (Scholastic Testing Service, 2021), sample Performance Profile, page 23: Language, Punctuation. Rule: Purdue Online Writing Lab, "Commas After Introductions"; Common Core standard L.5.2.b
  • Which sentence about a fishing trip has a capitalization mistake? Answer: I asked uncle Ray to bait my hook. Source: HSPT Interpretive Manual (Scholastic Testing Service, 2021), sample Performance Profile, page 23: Language, Capitalization. Rule: Purdue Online Writing Lab, "A Little Help with Capitals" (family relationships used as proper names); Common Core standard L.4.2.a
  • Which sentence about a hardware store has a punctuation mistake? Answer: We needed a hammer a saw, and a level. Source: HSPT Interpretive Manual (Scholastic Testing Service, 2021), sample Performance Profile, page 23: Language, Punctuation. Rule: GPO Style Manual (2016), rule 8.46; Common Core standard L.5.2.a
  • Which sentence about a lost glove has a punctuation mistake? Answer: "Where is my other glove"? asked Ben. Source: HSPT Interpretive Manual (Scholastic Testing Service, 2021), sample Performance Profile, page 23: Language, Punctuation. Rule: Purdue Online Writing Lab, "More Quotation Mark Rules"; GPO Style Manual (2016), rule 8.138; Common Core standard L.4.2.b
  • Which sentence about a school assembly has a punctuation mistake? Answer: Our guest a local firefighter, showed us her gear. Source: HSPT Interpretive Manual (Scholastic Testing Service, 2021), sample Performance Profile, page 23: Language, Punctuation. Rule: GPO Style Manual (2016), rule 8.45, words in apposition; Common Core standard L.6.2.a
  • Which sentence about a snowstorm has a punctuation mistake? Answer: Our street was quiet, nobody could drive on it. Source: HSPT Interpretive Manual (Scholastic Testing Service, 2021), sample Performance Profile, page 23: Language, Punctuation. Rule: Purdue Online Writing Lab, "Run-ons - Comma Splices - Fused Sentences"; Common Core standard L.4.1.f
  • Which sentence about a town's history has a punctuation mistake? Answer: The bridge was finished on June 12 1904. Source: HSPT Interpretive Manual (Scholastic Testing Service, 2021), sample Performance Profile, page 23: Language, Punctuation. Rule: GPO Style Manual (2016), rules 8.53 and 8.56; Common Core standard L.1.2.c

Usage 18

  • Which sentence about a bakery has a usage mistake? Answer: The baker set six loafs on the rack. Source: HSPT Interpretive Manual (Scholastic Testing Service, 2021), sample Performance Profile, page 23: Language, Incorrect Usage, Noun/Pronoun. Common Core standard L.3.1.b. "loaf" read in Wiktionary
  • Which sentence about a basketball game has a usage mistake? Answer: Our team played good in the second half. Source: HSPT Interpretive Manual (Scholastic Testing Service, 2021), sample Performance Profile, page 23: Language, Incorrect Usage, Verb/Adverb/Adjective. Rule: Purdue Online Writing Lab, "Avoiding Common Errors" (good or well); Common Core standard L.2.1.e
  • Which sentence about a birthday party has a usage mistake? Answer: Everyone came to the party accept Jorge. Source: HSPT Interpretive Manual (Scholastic Testing Service, 2021), sample Performance Profile, page 23: Language, Incorrect Usage, Other Parts of Speech. Rule: Purdue Online Writing Lab, "Spelling: Common Words that Sound Alike" (accept, except); Common Core standard L.4.1.g
  • Which sentence about a bowl of soup has a usage mistake? Answer: The soup was to hot to eat right away. Source: HSPT Interpretive Manual (Scholastic Testing Service, 2021), sample Performance Profile, page 23: Language, Incorrect Usage, Other Parts of Speech. Rule: Purdue Online Writing Lab, "Spelling: Common Words that Sound Alike" (to, too, two); Common Core standard L.4.1.g
  • Which sentence about a class poster is written correctly? Answer: Marta and I have finished the poster. Source: HSPT Interpretive Manual (Scholastic Testing Service, 2021), sample Performance Profile, page 23: Language, Correct Usage. Rule: Purdue Online Writing Lab, "Pronoun Case"; Common Core standard L.6.1.a
  • Which sentence about a flower garden has a usage mistake? Answer: The roses smell sweetly after the rain. Source: HSPT Interpretive Manual (Scholastic Testing Service, 2021), sample Performance Profile, page 23: Language, Incorrect Usage, Verb/Adverb/Adjective. Rule: Purdue Online Writing Lab, "Adjectives and Adverbs" (after a sense verb); Common Core standard L.2.1.e
  • Which sentence about a lost-and-found box has a usage mistake? Answer: Who's jacket is this on the floor? Source: HSPT Interpretive Manual (Scholastic Testing Service, 2021), sample Performance Profile, page 23: Language, Incorrect Usage, Other Parts of Speech. Rule: Purdue Online Writing Lab, "The Apostrophe"; Common Core standard L.4.1.g
  • Which sentence about a rainy field day has a usage mistake? Answer: Neither the rain or the mud stopped the race. Source: HSPT Interpretive Manual (Scholastic Testing Service, 2021), sample Performance Profile, page 23: Language, Incorrect Usage, Other Parts of Speech. Common Core standard L.5.1.e, correlative conjunctions
  • Which sentence about a relay race is written correctly? Answer: Neither of the runners was tired at the finish. Source: HSPT Interpretive Manual (Scholastic Testing Service, 2021), sample Performance Profile, page 23: Language, Correct Usage. Rule: Purdue Online Writing Lab, "Subject/Verb Agreement", rule 6; Common Core standard L.3.1.f
  • Which sentence about a shared bedroom has a usage mistake? Answer: Her and her sister share a bunk bed. Source: HSPT Interpretive Manual (Scholastic Testing Service, 2021), sample Performance Profile, page 23: Language, Incorrect Usage, Noun/Pronoun. Rule: Purdue Online Writing Lab, "Pronoun Case"; Common Core standard L.6.1.a
  • Which sentence about a soccer match has a usage mistake? Answer: The player whom scored the goal is my cousin. Source: HSPT Interpretive Manual (Scholastic Testing Service, 2021), sample Performance Profile, page 23: Language, Incorrect Usage, Noun/Pronoun. Rule: Purdue Online Writing Lab, "Pronoun Case" (who, whom); Common Core standard L.4.1.a
  • Which sentence about a thunderstorm is written correctly? Answer: This is the worst storm we have had all year. Source: HSPT Interpretive Manual (Scholastic Testing Service, 2021), sample Performance Profile, page 23: Language, Correct Usage. Common Core standards L.3.1.g and L.3.1.d; verb forms: Purdue Online Writing Lab, "Irregular Verbs"
  • Which sentence about a visit to the dentist has a usage mistake? Answer: We waited for a hour in the lobby. Source: HSPT Interpretive Manual (Scholastic Testing Service, 2021), sample Performance Profile, page 23: Language, Incorrect Usage, Other Parts of Speech. Rule: Purdue Online Writing Lab, "How to Use Articles (a/an/the)"; Common Core standard L.1.1.h
  • Which sentence about a walk to the pond has a usage mistake? Answer: Yesterday we walked to the pond and feed the ducks. Source: HSPT Interpretive Manual (Scholastic Testing Service, 2021), sample Performance Profile, page 23: Language, Incorrect Usage, Verb/Adverb/Adjective. Rule: Purdue Online Writing Lab, "Verb Tense Consistency"; Common Core standard L.5.1.d
  • Which sentence about an art room has a usage mistake? Answer: The box of markers are on the top shelf. Source: HSPT Interpretive Manual (Scholastic Testing Service, 2021), sample Performance Profile, page 23: Language, Incorrect Usage, Verb/Adverb/Adjective. Rule: Purdue Online Writing Lab, "Subject/Verb Agreement", rule 5; Common Core standard L.3.1.f
  • Which sentence about pen pals has a usage mistake? Answer: Lena has wrote three letters this month. Source: HSPT Interpretive Manual (Scholastic Testing Service, 2021), sample Performance Profile, page 23: Language, Incorrect Usage, Verb/Adverb/Adjective. Rule: Purdue Online Writing Lab, "Irregular Verbs"; Common Core standard L.3.1.d
  • Which sentence about three brothers has a usage mistake? Answer: Of the three brothers, Ken is the taller. Source: HSPT Interpretive Manual (Scholastic Testing Service, 2021), sample Performance Profile, page 23: Language, Incorrect Usage, Verb/Adverb/Adjective. Common Core standard L.3.1.g. Degrees of comparison read in Wikipedia, "Degrees of comparison of adjectives and adverbs"
  • Which sentence about two sisters has a usage mistake? Answer: My sister is two years older then I am. Source: HSPT Interpretive Manual (Scholastic Testing Service, 2021), sample Performance Profile, page 23: Language, Incorrect Usage, Other Parts of Speech. Rule: Purdue Online Writing Lab, "Spelling: Common Words that Sound Alike" (than, then); Common Core standard L.4.1.g

Spelling 10

  • Which sentence about a civics class has a misspelled word? Answer: We studied how the goverment makes laws. Source: HSPT Interpretive Manual (Scholastic Testing Service, 2021), sample Performance Profile, page 23: Language, Spelling. "government" read in Wiktionary
  • Which sentence about a debate club has a misspelled word? Answer: Her arguement was clear and short. Source: HSPT Interpretive Manual (Scholastic Testing Service, 2021), sample Performance Profile, page 23: Language, Spelling. "argument" read in Wiktionary
  • Which sentence about a field trip has a misspelled word? Answer: We will definately bring our lunches. Source: HSPT Interpretive Manual (Scholastic Testing Service, 2021), sample Performance Profile, page 23: Language, Spelling. "definitely" read in Wiktionary
  • Which sentence about a frozen pond has a misspelled word? Answer: The pond froze in Febuary. Source: HSPT Interpretive Manual (Scholastic Testing Service, 2021), sample Performance Profile, page 23: Language, Spelling. "February" read in Wiktionary
  • Which sentence about a magic trick has a misspelled word? Answer: I could not beleive my eyes. Source: HSPT Interpretive Manual (Scholastic Testing Service, 2021), sample Performance Profile, page 23: Language, Spelling. "believe" read in Wiktionary
  • Which sentence about a novel has a misspelled word? Answer: The begining of the story is slow. Source: HSPT Interpretive Manual (Scholastic Testing Service, 2021), sample Performance Profile, page 23: Language, Spelling. "beginning" read in Wiktionary
  • Which sentence about a power outage has a misspelled word? Answer: The outage occured just after dinner. Source: HSPT Interpretive Manual (Scholastic Testing Service, 2021), sample Performance Profile, page 23: Language, Spelling. "occurred" read in Wiktionary
  • Which sentence about a strange noise has a misspelled word? Answer: A wierd sound came from the attic. Source: HSPT Interpretive Manual (Scholastic Testing Service, 2021), sample Performance Profile, page 23: Language, Spelling. "weird" read in Wiktionary
  • Which sentence about a talent show has a misspelled word? Answer: I did not want to embarass my brother. Source: HSPT Interpretive Manual (Scholastic Testing Service, 2021), sample Performance Profile, page 23: Language, Spelling. "embarrass" read in Wiktionary
  • Which sentence about a thank-you note has a misspelled word? Answer: The gift was a wonderful suprise. Source: HSPT Interpretive Manual (Scholastic Testing Service, 2021), sample Performance Profile, page 23: Language, Spelling. "surprise" read in Wiktionary

Composition 20

  • A paragraph begins: "Saturday was the busiest day of my week." Which sentence best supports that opening? Answer: I had a swim meet at nine, a party at noon, and chores before dinner. Source: HSPT Interpretive Manual (Scholastic Testing Service, 2021), sample Performance Profile, page 23: Language, Composition. Common Core standard W.8.2.b
  • A paragraph tells how to wash a dog: fill the tub, wet the coat, scrub with soap, and rinse. Which sentence best ends it? Answer: Finally, dry the dog with a towel before it shakes water everywhere. Source: HSPT Interpretive Manual (Scholastic Testing Service, 2021), sample Performance Profile, page 23: Language, Composition. Common Core standard W.8.2.f
  • Choose the word that best fills the blank: "____ the game went into overtime, we still caught the last bus home." Answer: Although. Source: HSPT Interpretive Manual (Scholastic Testing Service, 2021), sample Performance Profile, page 23: Language, Composition. Common Core standards W.8.2.c and L.3.1.h; Purdue Online Writing Lab, "Transitional Devices"
  • Choose the word that best fills the blank: "First, we mixed the flour and the eggs. ____, we poured the batter into the pan." Answer: Next. Source: HSPT Interpretive Manual (Scholastic Testing Service, 2021), sample Performance Profile, page 23: Language, Composition. Common Core standard W.8.2.c; Purdue Online Writing Lab, "Transitional Devices" (to show sequence)
  • Choose the words that best fill the blank: "Lin wanted to finish the puzzle that night. Her brother, ____, was ready for bed." Answer: on the other hand. Source: HSPT Interpretive Manual (Scholastic Testing Service, 2021), sample Performance Profile, page 23: Language, Composition. Common Core standard W.8.2.c; Purdue Online Writing Lab, "Transitional Devices" (to compare)
  • Choose the words that best fill the blank: "My aunt grows many kinds of herbs. ____, she keeps basil, mint, and thyme on one windowsill." Answer: For instance. Source: HSPT Interpretive Manual (Scholastic Testing Service, 2021), sample Performance Profile, page 23: Language, Composition. Common Core standard W.8.2.c; Purdue Online Writing Lab, "Transitional Devices" (to give an example)
  • Choose the words that best fill the blank: "The new library has more books than the old one. ____, it stays open two hours later." Answer: In addition. Source: HSPT Interpretive Manual (Scholastic Testing Service, 2021), sample Performance Profile, page 23: Language, Composition. Common Core standard W.8.2.c; Purdue Online Writing Lab, "Transitional Devices" (to add)
  • In what order should these sentences go? "(1) Then she slid the tray into the oven. (2) Nora mixed the dough. (3) Soon the kitchen smelled of cookies. (4) She dropped spoonfuls of dough onto a tray." Answer: 2, 4, 1, 3. Source: HSPT Interpretive Manual (Scholastic Testing Service, 2021), sample Performance Profile, page 23: Language, Composition. Common Core standard W.8.3.a
  • Read the paragraph: "(1) Our class prints a newspaper every month. (2) Four students write the stories. (3) The cafeteria serves pizza on Fridays. (4) Two others draw the pictures." Which sentence does not belong? Answer: Sentence 3. Source: HSPT Interpretive Manual (Scholastic Testing Service, 2021), sample Performance Profile, page 23: Language, Composition. Common Core standard W.8.2.b; Purdue Online Writing Lab, "On Paragraphs" (unity)
  • Which of these word groups about a campfire is a sentence fragment? Answer: While the logs crackled and the sparks rose. Source: HSPT Interpretive Manual (Scholastic Testing Service, 2021), sample Performance Profile, page 23: Language, Composition. Common Core standard L.4.1.f; Purdue Online Writing Lab, "Sentence Fragments"
  • Which of these word groups about a parade is a run-on sentence? Answer: The drums came first the dancers followed them. Source: HSPT Interpretive Manual (Scholastic Testing Service, 2021), sample Performance Profile, page 23: Language, Composition. Common Core standard L.4.1.f; Purdue Online Writing Lab, "Run-ons - Comma Splices - Fused Sentences"
  • Which sentence about a cat gives the reader the clearest picture? Answer: The gray cat leaped from the fence to the porch roof. Source: HSPT Interpretive Manual (Scholastic Testing Service, 2021), sample Performance Profile, page 23: Language, Composition. Common Core standard W.8.2.d, precise language
  • Which sentence about a chess club says its idea without wasted words? Answer: The chess club meets at noon on Fridays. Source: HSPT Interpretive Manual (Scholastic Testing Service, 2021), sample Performance Profile, page 23: Language, Composition. Common Core standard L.7.3.a, wordiness and redundancy; Purdue Online Writing Lab, "Concision"
  • Which sentence about a sandwich is written most clearly? Answer: I gave the sandwich wrapped in foil to my brother. Source: HSPT Interpretive Manual (Scholastic Testing Service, 2021), sample Performance Profile, page 23: Language, Composition. Common Core standard L.7.1.c, misplaced modifiers
  • Which sentence about a science fair states its idea most clearly? Answer: Our volcano erupted during the fair. Source: HSPT Interpretive Manual (Scholastic Testing Service, 2021), sample Performance Profile, page 23: Language, Composition. Common Core standard L.7.3.a; Purdue Online Writing Lab, "Concision"
  • Which sentence about a sunrise hike is written most clearly? Answer: After climbing for an hour, we saw the sunrise from the ridge. Source: HSPT Interpretive Manual (Scholastic Testing Service, 2021), sample Performance Profile, page 23: Language, Composition. Common Core standard L.7.1.c; Purdue Online Writing Lab, "Dangling Modifiers and How To Correct Them"
  • Which sentence best combines these two? "The museum was closed. We visited the park instead." Answer: Because the museum was closed, we visited the park instead. Source: HSPT Interpretive Manual (Scholastic Testing Service, 2021), sample Performance Profile, page 23: Language, Composition. Common Core standard L.5.3.a
  • Which sentence best combines these two? "The rain stopped. We went outside to play." Answer: When the rain stopped, we went outside to play. Source: HSPT Interpretive Manual (Scholastic Testing Service, 2021), sample Performance Profile, page 23: Language, Composition. Common Core standard L.5.3.a
  • Which sentence does not belong in a paragraph about teaching a puppy to sit? Answer: My cousin collects stamps from other countries. Source: HSPT Interpretive Manual (Scholastic Testing Service, 2021), sample Performance Profile, page 23: Language, Composition. Common Core standard W.8.2.b; Purdue Online Writing Lab, "On Paragraphs" (unity)
  • Which sentence would best begin a paragraph that goes on: "It has a slide that twists twice. The swings are new. A bike path circles the whole place." Answer: The park on Elm Street is a great place to play. Source: HSPT Interpretive Manual (Scholastic Testing Service, 2021), sample Performance Profile, page 23: Language, Composition. Common Core standard W.8.2.a; Purdue Online Writing Lab, "On Paragraphs" (a topic sentence)

How this list was compiled: Outline: the HSPT Interpretive Manual (Scholastic Testing Service, 2021), pages 2, 21 and 23, https://www.ststesting.com/hp_int_sts.pdf, and the publisher's HSPT pages for parents, https://www.ststesting.com/hspt/. Rules of punctuation, capitalization and usage: the Purdue Online Writing Lab, https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/general_writing/, the U.S. Government Publishing Office Style Manual (2016), chapters 3 and 8, https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/GPO-STYLEMANUAL-2016/pdf/GPO-STYLEMANUAL-2016.pdf, and the Common Core State Standards for Language and Writing, https://www.thecorestandards.org/ELA-Literacy/. Spellings and word forms: Wiktionary, https://en.wiktionary.org/. Degrees of comparison: Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Degrees_of_comparison_of_adjectives_and_adverbs. All read 2026-10-12. Licence: Own work. Every question, sentence, answer choice and explanation was written for this page from the manual's description of the subtest. None is taken or reworded from an HSPT, a Pre-HSPT or another practice test. The publisher's public pages carry no sample questions.

How it works

Sixty questions of our own for the Language subtest of the HSPT. This is unofficial practice, not affiliated with or endorsed by Scholastic Testing Service, the publisher of the High School Placement Test.

Read the full guide

Six skills, counted

The manual's sample score profile splits the 60 Language questions into 10 on punctuation, 2 on capitalization, 15 on incorrect usage, 3 on correct usage, 10 on spelling and 20 on composition. This bank is split the same way.

Find the mistake

Most questions show four sentences, and one has the mistake. Composition questions ask for the clearest sentence, the best linking word or the sentence that does not belong.

Our own questions, checked rules

The publisher calls the HSPT a secure test, and none of these questions comes from one. Each rule was read in the Purdue Online Writing Lab, the GPO Style Manual or the Common Core standards, and each spelling in Wiktionary.

Questions and answers

How many questions are on the HSPT language section?

Sixty, says the publisher's manual, out of 298 on the whole test. The other four subtests are Verbal Skills with 60, Quantitative Skills with 52, Reading with 62 and Mathematics with 64.

What is on the HSPT language test?

Standard English conventions, in the manual's words: punctuation, capitalization, spelling, grammar, usage and composition. It is one of the three basic skills subtests, which test learned skills. The other two are Reading and Mathematics.

How long is the HSPT language section?

The publisher's public pages give no minutes for it. They say that each subtest has a time limit and that the test administrator should announce when half the time is gone.

How is the HSPT language subtest scored?

One point for each right answer and nothing off for a wrong one. The raw score becomes a standard score and a national percentile. Language also counts in the Total Basic Skills score and in the Composite.

How do you study for the HSPT language section?

The publisher endorses no prep product and says a well-rounded education is the best preparation. Its own advice for test day: read each question carefully, do not spend too long on one item and answer every question.

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