COMMUNITY COLLEGE OF DENVER TESTING CENTER
ESL Reading Skills
ESL Listening
ESL Grammar
Arithmetic
Elementary Algebra
Accuplacer ESL Preparation
Workbook
Welcome to Community College of Denver!
As the college president, it is my pleasure to personally welcome you to CCD. Whether
you are here to learn specific job skills, earn a certificate or diploma, or to eventually
transfer to a four year school, everyone at CCD is committed to
helping you succeed. Because we want you to thrive academically, all students who
enroll at CCD must meet the assessment requirement, either by
CCD TESTING CENTER
Confluence Room 216
Phone 303-556-3810
Fax 303-556-8027
www.ccd.edu/testing
CCD English as a Second Language
Bobbi Ware – ESL Chair
John Leicham – ESL Case Manager
Confluence Room 313
Ph: 303-352-3325
providing transcripts of previous college work or SAT/ACT scores
for review, or by taking the Accuplacer placement tests. These tests
help establish your level of competency in basic skills and serve
as a placement guide, giving us a better idea of what course level
would be best for you. Your placement test scores are important and they need to be an
accurate reflection of your level of knowledge.
This workbook was designed to help you brush up on your skills. Review the
information, and do as well on the Accuplacer as you possibly can; the questions
and problems in this workbook are similar to what you will find on the Accuplacer
Placement Test. Complete the workbook to the best of your ability before arranging
to take your test.
Good luck on the test and I wish you great success as you complete your college goals. Regards,
Everette J. Freeman
President
Table of Contents
What to Expect on Test Day. . . . . . 2 – 3
ESL Reading Skills. . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 – 7
ESL Listening . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 – 8
ESL Grammar. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 – 9
Arithmetic. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 – 11
Elementary Algebra . . . . . . . . . . 12 – 13
What is the Accuplacer Test?
The Accuplacer is a placement test that Community College of Denver uses to determine
your current math, reading and English skills. The results of the assessment, along with
your academic background, goals and interests, are used by academic advisors to determine which courses are most appropriate for your current level of knowledge and skills.
• The Accuplacer test is a computerized multiple choice test.
• You will be assessing in mathematics, reading comprehension, and sentence skills.
• The Accuplacer tests are untimed so you can move through the test questions at your own pace.
• You cannot “pass” or “fail” the placement tests, but the outcome of the tests
will determine which courses you are eligible to take.
• The Accuplacer is an adaptive test. This means that the questions are chosen for
you on the basis of your answers to previous questions. This technique selects just
the right questions for your ability level. Because the test works this way, you must answer every question when it is first given. You can change your answer to a
particular question before moving on to the next question, but you cannot leave a
question out or come back to it later to change your answer.
• If you do not know the answer to a question, try to eliminate one or more of the
choices. Then pick from the remaining choices.
• You may not bring a calculator to use on the math test. A calculator will appear on
the computer screen if it is permitted for that particular question.
• Once you have completed a test, a score report will be created. This report will
include your scores on the tests and course placement information.
How to Use this Workbook
Students with Disabilities
If you require test accommodations
due to a disability, please contact
the Accessibility Center for information
concerning your needs.
Accessibility Center
Confluence 121
303-556-3300
This workbook contains practice questions in each of the areas that you will be tested on:
mathematics, reading comprehension, and sentence skills..
The questions are designed to give you a feel for the content and style of the questions
that you will see on the Accuplacer placement test. These are sample questions – the
actual test questions will be similar but not exactly the same.
1. Read the background information about each test. This will inform you about the
types of questions that will be on the test and how many questions there will be.
2. Read the instructions for completing the questions.
3. Answer each question to the best of your ability. Feel free to underline, highlight,
jot down notes, or make calculations in the spaces provided, in the margins or on a
separate piece of paper. We require that you show your work for the math sections.
4. Check your answers using the provided answer key.
4. Check your answers using the provided answer key.
5. Review your answers to questions you missed to determine how the correct answer
was derived.
6. Bring the completed workbook (with any scratch paper used) to the Testing Center
on the day of your test. Staff will review your workbook to ensure that the appropriate work has been completed.
If you require assistance with the questions contained in this workbook, please visit:
Academic Support Center
Confluence, Room 121
2
Before Testing
To help you test at your peak performance, we strongly recommend that you study before
taking the Accuplacer®. Studying will allow you to familiarize yourself with the content
addressed in each test and brush up on topics that you may not have practiced recently.
Studies show that students who take the time to prepare before coming to test are more
likely to start higher in their academic course sequence when compared to those who do
not.
Reviewing this workbook and following the testing tips below will allow you to best
demonstrate your true abilities.
1. Complete this Accuplacer placement test workbook to the best of your ability. Be
sure to show your work for the math sections.
2. Make arrangements to test; it will take 2-3 hours to complete. Please visit our website at www.ccd.edu/testing.
3. Get a good night’s sleep.
4. Prepare to bring a photo ID, your CCD student ID number, and your completed
workbook to the Testing Center on the day of the test.
On Test Day
The Testing Center is located in Confluence, Room 216.
Parking: Free parking (up to six hours) is available at the Tivoli Parking Structure
(TAPS) on Auraria Parkway and 9th Street for first time Accuplacer examinees. Bring
your ticket for stamp validation.
Checking In: You will need:
• A valid government issued photo ID or your CCD Student ID
• Your CCD student ID number
• Your completed Accuplacer Workbook and any scratch paper.
Seating: You will assigned a computer and all provided materials will be collected at the
end of your test.
Breaks: Breaks are permitted during the test, with no time limits.
The following expectations will be enforced in the Testing Center:
• Turn off all electronic devices.
• Remove hats, sunglasses, or any other head coverings. Students wearing head coverings for religious purposes must present a government issued ID that shows the head
covering.
• All personal items will be stored in an assigned locker.
• No talking is allowed.
• Visitors are not allowed in the testing lab. Children younger than 16 years of age are
not allowed in the testing lab nor can they be left unattended in the lobby.
• Food and drink are not permitted.
• Other than documented service animals, pets are not allowed.
• Illegal or unauthorized possession or use of weapons, use or possession of drugs or
alcoholic beverages and/or public intoxication is not permitted.
Any violation of the above expectations may result in a warning or you may be asked to
leave, forfeiting your testing attempt and any fees.
3
After Completing
Your Test
After finishing your placement test, make
arrangements to see an ESL Advisor in
CNF 301. Bring your test scores with you.
If you were required to complete a writing
assessment, it will take 3-5 business days
to receive the results via your CCD email.
ESL Reading Skills
© 2007 The College Board
There are 20 questions on the ESL Reading Skills Test.
The ESL Reading Skills test measures your ability to read English. It assesses your understanding of short passages. It contains short passages of 50 words or less and longer length passages of 50 to 90 words.
4. Cesar Chavez was an influential leader for farmworkers. He
fought for their rights and better working conditions. Chavez
led many strikes that angered farm owners. Eventually he
succeeded in getting increased wages and improved living situations for farmworkers.
ESL Reading Skills Sample Questions
Directions
Read the statement or passage and then choose the best answer to
the question.
Chavez changed lives because he
A. helped the farmers get more workers.
B. worked for the farmers.
C. helped work on the farms every day.
D. changed the conditions for the farmworkers.
1. Janet’s parents bought her a new sports car as a birthday present. It was blue. Janet sold her 7-year old blue pickup truck to
a high school student. The truck could not go very fast, but the
student was happy with it.
5. People have different ways of learning. Some are better at making mental pictures of new ideas. Others are more comfortable
with writing lists of things to memorize. Certain people can
learn best when listening to music, while others need silence to
concentrate.
According to the passage, which of these statements is true?
A. Janet bought a pickup truck and a sports car.
B. The pickup truck was faster than the sports car.
C. The high school student traded cars with Janet.
D. The pickup truck was older than the sports car.
2. Jane and Paul are busy for 15 hours a day, 5 days a week going
to college and working in a restaurant. They go to sleep at 11
p.m. every day, but on Sunday they take part in dance lessons.
Which of the following is the main idea of the passage?
A. Mental pictures help many to learn.
B. Some people prefer lists to making mental pictures.
C. To learn well you need to be comfortable.
D. Different individuals have different ways of acquiring information.
According to the passage, Jane and Paul spend most of their time
A. at home.
B. going to college and working.
C. taking part in dance lessons.
D. sleeping.
6. Speaking to a group of people can be a frightening experience.
Some speakers cope by looking above the heads of the audience. Others try to imagine that they are talking to a friend. A
few try picturing the audience in some non-threatening way,
such as in their pajamas.
3. Many people own different pets. Dogs, cats, birds, and fish
are common household pets. Others pets are considered to be
exotic animals. These include snakes, lizards, and hedgehogs.
The author of the passage assumes that speakers should
A. feel comfortable when addressing an audience.
B. scare the audience.
C. encourage people to talk during the speech.
D. speak only to familiar people.
Snakes are
A. uncommon pets.
B. likely to be found in a household with dogs.
C. found only in zoos.
D. not allowed in people’s homes.
7. Before giving first aid to an accident victim, you should obtain
his or her consent. Asking for consent takes a simple question.
Say to the victim, “I know first aid, and I can help you until an
ambulance arrives. Is that okay?”
“Asking for consent” means asking for
A. permission to help the victim.
B. thanks from the victim.
C. help from onlookers.
D. information about the victim’s injuries.
6
ESL Reading Skills
Answer Key for Sample Questions
8. Some of Edward Weston’s black-and-white photographs of
American nature scenes are considered superb examples of
visual art. Indeed, some of his photographs have commanded
top prices at art galleries.
1.D
2.B
3.A
4.D
5.D
6.A
7.A
8.B
9.A
10.A
Which of the following best characterizes Weston’s photographs?
A. They belong to famous collectors.
B. They have been sold in art galleries for large sums of money.
C. They introduced many Americans to visual art.
D. They contrast American cities with natural settings.
9. If you hold a piece of copper wire over the flame of a match,
heat will be conducted by the copper wire to your fingers, and
you will be forced to drop the wire. You will, however, still be
able to hold the match because the match is a poor conductor of
heat. Anyone, child or adult, can try this simple experiment.
Additional Resources:
If you wish to continue your preparation, please visit the www.ccd.
edu/testing and follow the links to more Accuplacer
study materials.
Which of the following is implied in the passage above?
A. Copper is a good conductor of heat.
B. A match and copper conduct heat equally.
C. A match is an excellent conductor of heat.
D. Matches should be kept out of the reach of small children.
10. Television has been introduced to almost every country in the
world, reaching a large number of viewers on every continent.
About 600 million people saw the first person walk on the
moon, and a billion people watched the twentieth Olympic
Games. Television has in many ways promoted understanding
and cooperation among people. It does this by showing educational and cultural programs.
According to the passage, which of the following is true?
A. Television is watched in nearly every country.
B. Not everybody who had a television set could watch the 1998
World Cup finals.
C. Watching television makes people dissatisfied with their own lives.
D. Television was invented in 1980.
7
ESL Listening
© 2007 The College Board
There are 20 questions on the ESL Listening Test.
ESL Listening tests your ability to listen and understand people speaking English. You will listen to conversations in many places, for example a computer lab, the library, shopping, in a restaurant, reading the newspaper, and performing tasks at work. First, you will listen to the
conversation. A question follows, along with pictures of the speakers. Below the picture are four answers from which to choose, written on
the screen or with a drawing next to each choice. You will choose the right picture.
Additional Resources:
If you wish to continue your preparation, please visit the www.ccd.edu/testing and follow the links to more Accuplacer study materials.
ESL Grammar
There are 75 questions in 3 sections on the ESL Grammar Test.
The ESL Grammar Test tests your knowledge of the English grammar points that we teach in Basic, Intermediate, and Advanced
Grammar courses. You choose words that complete a sentence using correct grammar. The questions test your knowledge of verb
tenses, question and negative forms, active and passive voice, prepositions, modal verbs, conditional sentences, gerunds and infinitives. Test problems move from easy to difficult.
6. Smoking is bad for your health! You ____________ quit smoking.
Grammar Sample Questions
a.
b.
c.
d.
Directions
Choose the correct answers to complete the following sentences
1. Many students go to the bookstore ____________ books.
7. Yesterday I ____________ to work when it started to rain.
a.buy
b. to buy
c. buying
d. bought
a.
b.
c.
d.
2. I ____________ here for two years now.
a.
b.
c.
d.
a.
b.
c.
d.
a.
b.
c.
d.
you buy
did you buy
you bought
bought you
who knows
knows
knowing
which knows
10. The house____________ by the storm last year.
study
studying
studies
has studied
a.
b.
c.
d.
5. I really like your phone. Where ____________ it?
a.
b.
c.
d.
studied
are study
studies
study
9. Talk to your doctor. She is the one ____________ the answer.
cooked
cook
was cooked
cooking
4. Marta usually ____________ in the library.
a.
b.
c.
d.
walked
walk
walking
was walking
8. If you ____________ , you will pass the test!
live
living
been living
have been living
3. Who ____________ dinner last night?
a.
b.
c.
d.
could
would
should
may
8
destroyed was destroyed
destroying
was destroying
11. If I ____________ more money, I would buy a new car.
a.
b.
c.
c.
had
would have
have
have had
12. Right now, we _____________ a movie.
a. watching
b. watch
c. watch
d. are watching
13. ____________ usually take the bus?
a. Does he
b. Is he
c. He does
d. He
14. ____________ ever been to Paris?
a.
b.
c.
d.
You
You have
Have you
Are you
15. We are going to the mall _____________ a new television.
a.
b.
c.
d.
for buying
buy
to buying
to buy
Grammar
Answer Key for Sample Questions
1.B
2.D
3.A
4.C
5.B
6.C
7.D
8.D
9.A
10.B
11.A
12.D
13.A
14.C
15.D
Additional Resources:
If you wish to continue your preparation, please visit
www.ccd.edu/testing and follow the links to more
Accuplacer study materials.
9
Arithmetic
We require that you show your work
for this section.
© 2007 The College Board
There are 17 questions on the Arithmetic tests, divided into three types.
• Operations with whole numbers and fractions: Topics included in this category are addition, subtraction, multiplication,
division, recognizing equivalent fractions and mixed numbers, and estimating.
• Operations with decimals and percents: Topics include addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division with decimals.
Percent problems, recognition of decimals, fraction and percent equivalencies, and problems involving estimation are also given.
• Applications and problem solving: Topics include rate, percent, and measurement problems; simple geometry problems;
and distribution of a quantity into its fractional parts.
The math portion of the assessment test at CCD is branching. This means that based on your performance in a particular section you may
be required to complete additional sections of the math assessment to accurately determine your placement. A high score in Arithmetic will
move you into the Elementary Algebra portion of the test.
Personal calculators are not permitted to be used during the test. A calculator will be provided on the computer screen as needed
for particular questions.
5. All of the following are ways to write 25 percent of N EXCEPT
Arithmetic Sample Questions
A. 0.25 N
Directions
Solve the following problems and select your answer from the
choices given.
B.
25N
100
1
C.
N
4
1. 2.75 + .003 + .158 =
D. 25 N
A. 4.36
B. 2.911
C. 0.436
D. 2.938
6. Which of the following is closest to 27.8 × 9.6?
A. 280
B. 300
C. 2,800
D. 3,000
2. 7.86 × 4.6 =
A. 36.156
B. 36.216
C. 351.56
D. 361.56
7. A soccer team played 160 games and won 65 percent of them.
How many games did it win?
A. 94
B. 104
C. 114
D. 124
7
3. 20 =
A. 0.035
B. 0.858
C. 0.35
D. 3.5
8. Three people who work full-time are to work together on a
project, but their total time on the project is to be equivalent to
that of only one person working full-time. If one of the people
is budgeted for one-half of his time to the project and a second
person for one-third of her time, what part of the third worker’s
time should be budgeted to this project?
4. Which of the following is the least?
A. 0.105
B. 0.501
C. 0.015
D. 0.15
1
A. 3
3
B. 5
1
C. 6
1
D. 8
10
9. 32 is 40 percent of what number?
A. 12.8
B. 128
C. 80
D. 800
1
2
10. 3 3 – 2 5 =
A. 1
B.
1
15
1
2
14
15
1
D. 1
15
C.
Arithmetic
Answer Key for Sample Questions
1. B
2. A
3. C
4. C
5. D
6. A
7. B
8. C
9. C
10.C
Additional Resources:
If you wish to continue your preparation, please visit
www.ccd.edu/testing and follow the links to more
Accuplacer study materials.
11
Elementary Algebra
We require that you show your work
for this section.
© 2007 The College Board
There are 12 questions of three types on the Elementary Algebra test.
• The first type involves operations with integers and rational numbers, and includes computation with integers and negative rationals, the use of absolute values, and ordering.
• The second type involves operations with algebraic expressions using evaluation of simple formulas and expressions, and adding and subtracting monomials and polynomials. Questions involve multiplying and dividing monomials and polynomials, the evaluation of positive rational roots and exponents, simplifying algebraic fractions, and factoring.
• The third type of question involves translating written phrases into algebraic expressions and solving equations, inequalities, word problems, linear equations and inequalities, quadratic equations (by factoring), and verbal problems presented in an algebraic context.
The math portion of the assessment test at CCD is branching. This means that based on your performance in a particular section you may be
required to complete additional sections of the math assessment to accurately determine your placement. Your performance on the Elementary Algebra portion of the assessment will determine if you will also see the Arithmetic or College Level Math portions of the math assessment or neither.
Personal calculators are not permitted to be used during the test. A calculator will be provided on the computer screen as needed for
particular questions.
5. (3x – 2y)2 =
Elementary Algebra Sample Questions
Directions Solve the following problems and select your answer
from the choices given.
A. 9x2 – 4y2
B. 9x2 + 4y2
C. 9x2 + 4y2 – 6xy
D. 9x2 + 4y2 – 12xy
1. If A represents the number of apples purchased at 15 cents
each, and B represents the number of bananas purchased at 10
cents each, which of the following represents the total value of
the purchases in cents?
6. If x > 2, then
A. A + B
B. 25(A + B)
C. 10A + 15B
D. 15A + 10B
A.
B.
C.
2.
2
×
15
=?
x–3
2
7.
3. What is the value of the expression 2x2 + 3xy – 4y2 when x = 2
and y = - 4?
x–3
x+2
3
2
4– (–6)
–5
A.
A. – 80
B. 80
C. – 32
D. 32
=
x–3
x–2
D.
A. 17
B. 30
C. 30
D. 17
x2 – x – 6
x2 – 4
2
5
B. –
=
2
5
C. 2
D. – 2
4. In the figure below, both circles have the same center, and the
radius of the larger circle is R. If the radius of the smaller circle
is 3 units less than R, which of the following represents the area
of the shaded region?
8. If 2x – 3(x + 4) = - 5, then x =
A. 7
B. –7
C. 17
D. – 17
A. πR2
B. π(R – 3)2
C. πR2 – π × 32
D. πR2 – π(R - 3)2
12
9. – 3(5 – 6) – 4(2 – 3) =
A. –7
B. 7
C. –1
D. 1
10. Which of the following expressions is equivalent
to 20 –
4
5
x > 16?
A. x ≤ 5
B. x ≥ 5
C. x ≥ 32½
D. x ≤ 32½
Elementary Algebra
Answer Key for Sample Questions
1.D
2.C
3.A
4.D
5.D
6.B
7.D
8.B
9.B
10.A
Additional Resources:
If you wish to continue your preparation, please visit
www.ccd.edu/testing and follow the links to more
Accuplacer study materials.
For College Level Math Accuplacer review
questions, please go to www.ccd.edu/testing.
13
Next Steps
Bring this workbook to the testing center and sign up to take the Accuplacer
test. Once you’re done, make sure to pick up your score report before leaving
the Testing Center.
Retesting: Retests are allowed. A student can take the same test up to 3 times
in a two year period. Each retest costs $10 per section. Before you retest, you
should discuss it with your advisor, and it is recommended that you review.
This can be done with study guides, a tutor, an Accuplacer Workshop or the
Accuplace Prep Lab.
Be sure to register for an orientation session at
www.ccd.edu/newstudentorientation.
Testing Center
Confluence Room 216
Phone 303-556-3810
Fax 303-556-8027
www.ccd.edu/testing