TABE Language
Language is one of the three TABE tests. It checks how well you use written English.
What TABE Language measures
TABE 13&14 Language covers three areas: conventions of standard English, knowledge of language and vocabulary, and text types and purposes. TABE 11&12 Language covers "grammar, usage, mechanics, sentence formation, and paragraph development." Mechanics means things like punctuation and capital letters.
Questions and time
| Test | Questions | Time limit |
|---|---|---|
| TABE 13&14 Language | 33 | 50 minutes |
| TABE 11&12 Language | 40 | 55 minutes |
Ask the school or agency giving your test which version you will take.
How to study TABE Language
- Find the real subject. In a sentence that starts with "There is" or "There are," the subject comes after the verb. Match the verb to it.
- Learn the apostrophe rules. "Its" shows ownership. "It's" means "it is." A plain plural, like "painters," needs no apostrophe.
- Learn the comma rules. Put a comma after an opening clause. Never put a single comma between a subject and its verb.
- Read for the link between sentences. Words like "then," "however" and "for example" each show a different link. Pick the one that fits.
- Ask what belongs. In a paragraph, every sentence should support the main idea. Cross out the one that does not.
Sample questions
1. A storeroom note reports what is left on a shelf. Which sentence uses correct subject-verb agreement?
- A. There are a single crate of batteries left in the storeroom.
- B. There is a single crate of batteries left in the storeroom.
- C. There were a single crate of batteries left in the storeroom.
- D. There have been a single crate of batteries left in the storeroom.
Show the answer
Answer: B. The subject is "crate," which is singular, so the verb is "is." The plural word "batteries" is not the subject.
2. Four versions of the same sentence use apostrophes differently. Which sentence uses every apostrophe correctly?
- A. The womens' locker room kept its door propped open while the painters worked.
- B. The women's locker room kept it's door propped open while the painters worked.
- C. The women's locker room kept its door propped open while the painter's worked.
- D. The women's locker room kept its door propped open while the painters worked.
Show the answer
Answer: D. "Women's" adds an apostrophe and s to a plural that does not end in s. "Its" shows ownership with no apostrophe, and "painters" is a plain plural.
3. Read the sentence pair, then answer the question.
Loosen the lug nuts while the tire is still resting on the ground. ______, raise the car with the jack and pull the wheel off.
Which transition best fills the blank?
- A. For example
- B. However
- C. Then
- D. Moreover
Show the answer
Answer: C. The second sentence is the next step in the job, so it needs a time-order word like "Then."
How SPARK helps with TABE Language
SPARK's diagnostic shows how your language skills compare with your other subjects. If Language is one of your weakest areas, your study plan puts it first. You can ask the AI tutor about any rule you miss.
FAQ
- How many questions are on TABE Language?
- TABE 13&14 Language has 33 questions in 50 minutes. TABE 11&12 Language has 40 questions in 55 minutes.
- What does TABE Language cover?
- TABE 13&14 Language covers conventions of standard English, knowledge of language and vocabulary, and text types and purposes. TABE 11&12 Language covers grammar, usage, mechanics, sentence formation and paragraph development.
- What kinds of questions are on TABE 13&14 Language?
- TABE 13&14 Language uses multiple-choice questions only.
- What is the best way to study for TABE Language?
- For TABE Language, learn a few rules at a time, like subject-verb agreement, commas and apostrophes. Then practice spotting them in real sentences.
Find out where you stand, free.
SPARK starts with a diagnostic and builds your study plan around the sections pulling your score down.
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