ISASP Writing Practice Test

Language and revising questions for Iowa's Language/Writing test, in three grade bands, each answer explained.

Which sentence is written correctly?

Pick an answer, then press Check answer. Then you see Correct or Not quite, with the reason. Keys: A to D pick, Enter checks.

Print covers the next 20 questions. Share this set copies a link to the same questions in the same order.

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Unofficial practice questions, not affiliated with the Iowa Department of Education and the University of Iowa. Bank checked October 7, 2026.

The real test: ISASP Language/Writing

Who takes it
Grades 3 to 11, each spring. English language arts is given as two tests: Reading and Language/Writing.
Sections
Two: Language, then Writing. They can be given on one day with breaks or on two days.
Items
31 in grade 3, 32 in grade 4, 33 in grade 5, 34 in grade 6, 35 in grades 7 and 8, 36 in grades 9 to 11, over 5 or 6 passages.
Recommended time
Not timed. The manual recommends 80 minutes in grades 3 to 5, 70 in grades 6 to 8 and 60 in grades 9 to 11.
Essay
Every Language/Writing test has an extended written essay. The state posts opinion or argument, informative-explanatory and narrative rubrics for each grade.
Blueprint
Conventions and knowledge of language 35 to 50%; text types and purposes 20 to 35%; vocabulary, producing writing and research 5 to 15% each.

Checked October 7, 2026 against the ISASP Test Administrator Manual 2025-2026 and the ISASP English Language Arts Blueprints (2026). Rules change, so confirm with the agency itself before your test.

The state's own ISASP practice tests

Next step More grammar and punctuation practiceMore school test practice: Michigan's M-STEP

Grades 3 to 5: all 20 questions

Conventions and Knowledge of Language 8

  • Read the sentence: "Yesterday Luis packed his bag, grabs his coat and walked to school." Which word should change so the verb tense stays the same? Iowa Academic Standards for English Language Arts and Literacy, L.5.1.d
  • Where does a comma belong in this sentence? "We wanted to swim but the pool was closed." Iowa Academic Standards for English Language Arts and Literacy, L.4.2.c
  • Which of these is a complete sentence? Iowa Academic Standards for English Language Arts and Literacy, L.4.1.f
Show all 20 questions (17 more)

Conventions and Knowledge of Language, continued

  • Which sentence is written correctly? Iowa Academic Standards for English Language Arts and Literacy, L.3.1.f
  • Which sentence shows that the bike belongs to Maya? Iowa Academic Standards for English Language Arts and Literacy, L.3.2.d
  • Which sentence uses "their" and "there" correctly? Iowa Academic Standards for English Language Arts and Literacy, L.4.1.g
  • Which sentence uses a comma correctly? Iowa Academic Standards for English Language Arts and Literacy, L.5.2.b
  • Which word correctly completes the sentence? "Three ___ swam across the pond." Iowa Academic Standards for English Language Arts and Literacy, L.3.1.b

Text Types and Purposes 5

  • A report explains how a class built a garden. Which sentence is the best concluding sentence? Iowa Academic Standards for English Language Arts and Literacy, W.4.2.e
  • A student is writing an opinion piece that says recess should be longer. Which sentence gives a reason for the opinion? Iowa Academic Standards for English Language Arts and Literacy, W.3.1.b
  • Which sentence is the best opening for an opinion piece about building a bike path? Iowa Academic Standards for English Language Arts and Literacy, W.4.1.a
  • Which words best link these ideas? "The north trail is flat. ___, the south trail climbs a steep hill." Iowa Academic Standards for English Language Arts and Literacy, W.5.2.c
  • Which words best show the order of events? "___, Ana opened the gate and the puppy ran out." Iowa Academic Standards for English Language Arts and Literacy, W.3.3.c

Vocabulary Acquisition and Use 2

  • What does "preheat" mean in this sentence? "Preheat the oven before you mix the batter." Iowa Academic Standards for English Language Arts and Literacy, L.3.4.b
  • What does this sentence mean? "After the long hike, my legs felt like wet noodles." Iowa Academic Standards for English Language Arts and Literacy, L.4.5.a

Production and Distribution of Writing 3

  • A paragraph tells how a class recycles paper. (1) Each room has a blue bin for paper. (2) On Fridays, two helpers empty the bins. (3) My cousin plays soccer on Saturdays. (4) The paper goes to the large bin behind the school. Which sentence does not belong? Iowa Academic Standards for English Language Arts and Literacy, W.3.4
  • A student wrote: "The dog was big. It was big and large. It was a big dog." What is the best way to revise this? Iowa Academic Standards for English Language Arts and Literacy, W.3.5
  • Kai is writing a letter to the principal to ask for new library books. Which sentence fits the audience best? Iowa Academic Standards for English Language Arts and Literacy, W.4.4

Research to Build and Present Knowledge 2

  • A source says: "The bridge opened in spring after two years of work." Which note puts this in the student's own words? Iowa Academic Standards for English Language Arts and Literacy, W.4.8
  • Tia is writing a report about the history of her town. Which source would give the most useful information? Iowa Academic Standards for English Language Arts and Literacy, W.5.8

How this list was compiled: Outline: ISASP English Language Arts Blueprints (2026), Language/Writing domains, Iowa Statewide Assessment of Student Progress portal, https://ia.mypearsonsupport.com/resources/professional-development/ISASP2026ELABlueprints.pdf, read 2026-10-07. Each question names the standard it practices in the Iowa Academic Standards for English Language Arts and Literacy (June 2024), https://educate.iowa.gov/media/8158/download?inline, read 2026-10-07. Each grammar and punctuation answer follows the rule as that standard words it; three rules the standards name without spelling out were checked at the Purdue Online Writing Lab, read 2026-10-07: a hyphen joins words that form one adjective before a noun (https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/general_writing/punctuation/hyphen_use.html), a verb agrees with its subject and not with a phrase between them (https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/general_writing/grammar/subject_verb_agreement.html), and a semicolon comes before an independent marker word such as however, with a comma after it in the example given there (https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/general_writing/punctuation/independent_and_dependent_clauses/index.html). Licence: Own work. Questions, answer choices, sample sentences and explanations were written for this site. Nothing is copied or reworded from an ISASP test, a state practice test, a rubric or another practice test.

Grades 6 to 8: all 20 questions

Conventions and Knowledge of Language 8

  • In which sentence is it unclear who the pronoun refers to? Iowa Academic Standards for English Language Arts and Literacy, L.6.1.d
  • Which revision removes the wordiness from this sentence? "In my opinion, I think that the final ending of the story was a surprise that I did not expect." Iowa Academic Standards for English Language Arts and Literacy, L.7.3.a
  • Which sentence is in the active voice? Iowa Academic Standards for English Language Arts and Literacy, L.8.1.b
Show all 20 questions (17 more)

Conventions and Knowledge of Language, continued

  • Which sentence is punctuated correctly? Iowa Academic Standards for English Language Arts and Literacy, L.6.2.a
  • Which sentence keeps the same person and number in its pronouns? Iowa Academic Standards for English Language Arts and Literacy, L.6.1.c
  • Which sentence places its opening phrase correctly? Iowa Academic Standards for English Language Arts and Literacy, L.7.1.c
  • Which sentence uses a comma correctly? Iowa Academic Standards for English Language Arts and Literacy, L.7.2.a
  • Which sentence uses pronouns correctly? Iowa Academic Standards for English Language Arts and Literacy, L.6.1.a

Text Types and Purposes 5

  • A student argues that the town should add bike lanes. Which sentence acknowledges an opposing claim? Iowa Academic Standards for English Language Arts and Literacy, W.7.1.a
  • An essay explains three ways a school garden helps students. Which sentence is the best concluding statement? Iowa Academic Standards for English Language Arts and Literacy, W.7.2.f
  • Which sentence states a claim that an argument could support? Iowa Academic Standards for English Language Arts and Literacy, W.6.1.a
  • Which sentence uses the most precise sensory detail for a story? Iowa Academic Standards for English Language Arts and Literacy, W.6.3.d
  • Which transition best connects these sentences? "The team practiced every day for a month. ___, they won their first game of the season." Iowa Academic Standards for English Language Arts and Literacy, W.8.2.c

Vocabulary Acquisition and Use 2

  • All four words describe someone who spends little money. Which has the most negative connotation? Iowa Academic Standards for English Language Arts and Literacy, L.6.5.c
  • Read the sentence: "The hikers were famished after the climb, so they ate every sandwich in the pack." What does "famished" most likely mean? Iowa Academic Standards for English Language Arts and Literacy, L.7.4.a

Production and Distribution of Writing 3

  • A paragraph argues that the cafeteria needs more seats, but one sentence describes the writer's favorite lunch. What is the best revision? Iowa Academic Standards for English Language Arts and Literacy, W.8.5
  • A paragraph explains how to enter the science fair. (1) Finally, bring the finished board to the gym on Friday. (2) First, choose a question to test. (3) Next, run the test and record the results. (4) Then, show the results on a display board. Which order is the most logical? Iowa Academic Standards for English Language Arts and Literacy, W.8.4
  • A student is writing a formal lab report. Which sentence keeps a formal style? Iowa Academic Standards for English Language Arts and Literacy, W.6.4

Research to Build and Present Knowledge 2

  • A student copies two sentences from a website into a report. What must the student do to avoid plagiarism? Iowa Academic Standards for English Language Arts and Literacy, W.8.8
  • Which source would be the most credible for a report on how much rain fell in a city last year? Iowa Academic Standards for English Language Arts and Literacy, W.6.8

How this list was compiled: Outline: ISASP English Language Arts Blueprints (2026), Language/Writing domains, Iowa Statewide Assessment of Student Progress portal, https://ia.mypearsonsupport.com/resources/professional-development/ISASP2026ELABlueprints.pdf, read 2026-10-07. Each question names the standard it practices in the Iowa Academic Standards for English Language Arts and Literacy (June 2024), https://educate.iowa.gov/media/8158/download?inline, read 2026-10-07. Each grammar and punctuation answer follows the rule as that standard words it; three rules the standards name without spelling out were checked at the Purdue Online Writing Lab, read 2026-10-07: a hyphen joins words that form one adjective before a noun (https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/general_writing/punctuation/hyphen_use.html), a verb agrees with its subject and not with a phrase between them (https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/general_writing/grammar/subject_verb_agreement.html), and a semicolon comes before an independent marker word such as however, with a comma after it in the example given there (https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/general_writing/punctuation/independent_and_dependent_clauses/index.html). Licence: Own work. Questions, answer choices, sample sentences and explanations were written for this site. Nothing is copied or reworded from an ISASP test, a state practice test, a rubric or another practice test.

Grades 9 to 11: all 20 questions

Conventions and Knowledge of Language 8

  • A writer is unsure whether a disputed usage is accepted in formal writing. What is the best step? Iowa Academic Standards for English Language Arts and Literacy, L.11-12.1.b
  • In the sentence "Racing toward the finish, the runner dropped her water bottle," what kind of phrase is "Racing toward the finish"? Iowa Academic Standards for English Language Arts and Literacy, L.9-10.1.b
  • Which sentence has a verb that agrees with its subject? Iowa Academic Standards for English Language Arts and Literacy, L.9-10.1
Show all 20 questions (17 more)

Conventions and Knowledge of Language, continued

  • Which sentence punctuates "however" correctly? Iowa Academic Standards for English Language Arts and Literacy, L.9-10.2.a
  • Which sentence uses a colon correctly? Iowa Academic Standards for English Language Arts and Literacy, L.9-10.2.b
  • Which sentence uses a hyphen correctly? Iowa Academic Standards for English Language Arts and Literacy, L.11-12.2.a
  • Which sentence uses a semicolon correctly? Iowa Academic Standards for English Language Arts and Literacy, L.9-10.2.a
  • Which sentence uses parallel structure? Iowa Academic Standards for English Language Arts and Literacy, L.9-10.1.a

Text Types and Purposes 5

  • A writer claims that the school library should stay open later. Which evidence best supports the claim? Iowa Academic Standards for English Language Arts and Literacy, W.9-10.1.b
  • A writer wants to slow the pace of a tense scene in a story. Which technique would do that best? Iowa Academic Standards for English Language Arts and Literacy, W.9-10.3.b
  • Which revision of "The thing got a lot hotter" uses the most precise language for a report? Iowa Academic Standards for English Language Arts and Literacy, W.9-10.2.d
  • Which sentence treats a counterclaim fairly? Iowa Academic Standards for English Language Arts and Literacy, W.9-10.1.b
  • Which thesis states a precise claim that an argument could defend? Iowa Academic Standards for English Language Arts and Literacy, W.9-10.1.a

Vocabulary Acquisition and Use 2

  • Which form of the word completes the sentence? "Her ___ of the data took three days." Iowa Academic Standards for English Language Arts and Literacy, L.9-10.4.b
  • Which word keeps a news report neutral? "The mayor ___ the plan at the meeting." Iowa Academic Standards for English Language Arts and Literacy, L.9-10.5.b

Production and Distribution of Writing 3

  • A draft has strong evidence, but its claim does not appear until the last paragraph. Which revision would help most? Iowa Academic Standards for English Language Arts and Literacy, W.9-10.5
  • A student is writing a cover letter for a summer job. Which opening suits the audience? Iowa Academic Standards for English Language Arts and Literacy, W.9-10.4
  • Which revision is the most concise without losing meaning? "Due to the fact that the bridge was closed, we made the decision to take a different route." Iowa Academic Standards for English Language Arts and Literacy, W.11-12.5

Research to Build and Present Knowledge 2

  • A student researching a new city bus route finds four sources. Which is the most authoritative? Iowa Academic Standards for English Language Arts and Literacy, W.9-10.8
  • A student restates an author's idea in new words, using none of the author's phrases. What must the student still do? Iowa Academic Standards for English Language Arts and Literacy, W.11-12.8

How this list was compiled: Outline: ISASP English Language Arts Blueprints (2026), Language/Writing domains, Iowa Statewide Assessment of Student Progress portal, https://ia.mypearsonsupport.com/resources/professional-development/ISASP2026ELABlueprints.pdf, read 2026-10-07. Each question names the standard it practices in the Iowa Academic Standards for English Language Arts and Literacy (June 2024), https://educate.iowa.gov/media/8158/download?inline, read 2026-10-07. Each grammar and punctuation answer follows the rule as that standard words it; three rules the standards name without spelling out were checked at the Purdue Online Writing Lab, read 2026-10-07: a hyphen joins words that form one adjective before a noun (https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/general_writing/punctuation/hyphen_use.html), a verb agrees with its subject and not with a phrase between them (https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/general_writing/grammar/subject_verb_agreement.html), and a semicolon comes before an independent marker word such as however, with a comma after it in the example given there (https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/general_writing/punctuation/independent_and_dependent_clauses/index.html). Licence: Own work. Questions, answer choices, sample sentences and explanations were written for this site. Nothing is copied or reworded from an ISASP test, a state practice test, a rubric or another practice test.

How it works

Unofficial practice for the Language/Writing test of the Iowa Statewide Assessment of Student Progress (ISASP). Our own questions; none comes from a real test. Not affiliated with the Iowa Department of Education or the University of Iowa.

Read the full guide

What the Language/Writing test weighs

Iowa's 2026 blueprint gives conventions and knowledge of language 35 to 50 percent of the test, and text types and purposes 20 to 35 percent. Vocabulary, producing writing and research get 5 to 15 percent each. Every grade band here keeps those shares: 8, 5, 2, 3 and 2 questions of 20.

The essay is not on this page

Every real Language/Writing test also has an extended written essay, scored with the state's rubric. An essay cannot be marked here, so this page practices the language section only. The state's own practice tests, linked under the questions, come with the essay rubric for each grade.

  • The state posts writing checklists (grades 3 to 6, 7 to 8 and 9 to 11), and the test itself offers the same checklist.

Questions and answers

Is this an ISASP practice writing test with an essay?

No. It practices the language half: grammar, punctuation, word choice, revising and research skills.

How long is the ISASP Language/Writing test?

The tests are not timed. The 2025-2026 manual recommends 80 minutes in grades 3 to 5, 70 in grades 6 to 8 and 60 in grades 9 to 11, split between a Language section and a Writing section.

How many questions are on the ISASP writing test?

The manual lists 31 items in grade 3, rising to 36 in grades 9 to 11, set over five or six passages and split into two sections.

What grades take the ISASP writing test?

Grades 3 to 11, each spring. English language arts is given as two tests, Reading and Language/Writing.

Where is the official ISASP practice test for writing?

On the ISASP portal, where every grade from 3 to 11 has its own Language/Writing practice test. The button under the questions opens it.

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