Advanced numbers and quantifiers. 45 questions on formal quantifying language in academic writing, agreement with quantifiers, statistical expressions, and hedged quantification.
What this test covers
- Formal Quantifying Language in Academic Writing
- Agreement with Quantifiers: none of, the majority of, a number of
- Statistical and Comparative Number Expressions
Answer the 45 questions below. Each answer is checked straight away, with an explanation. Press Submit at the end to get your score and save it to your dashboard. Answers are not kept if you leave before submitting.
All 45 questions with answers
Pick an answer for each question to see if you are right, with the explanation. Submit when you are done; you can submit before answering them all.
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Q1A number of specialized consultants ___ invited to review the proposal before the final submission.
Answer: B. have been
The quantifier 'a number of' functions as a plural determiner, focusing on the individual members of the group, which requires the plural verb 'have been'. In contrast, 'the number of' would take a singular verb, as it refers to a specific total or figure. 'Is being' and 'was' are singular forms and do not agree with the plural subject.
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Q2The ___ of the research conducted by the department was focused on long-term economic trends.
Answer: D. bulk
'Bulk' is a formal quantifier used to refer to the majority or the greater part of a non-count mass or an abstract whole. 'Many amount' is ungrammatical because 'many' modifies count nouns while 'amount' modifies non-count nouns. 'Large quantities' would require a plural verb ('were'), and 'big parts' lacks the formal register required for an academic research context.
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Q3The latest statistical analysis indicates that ___ 20 and 30 percent of the participants reported improved outcomes.
Answer: A. between
The preposition 'between' is the correct correlative partner to 'and' when defining a numerical range. If 'from' were used, it would require the preposition 'to' (e.g., from 20 to 30 percent). 'Up to' specifies an upper limit but cannot pair with 'and', and 'ranging' would require a following participle phrase like 'ranging from 20 to 30 percent'.
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Q4Choose the grammatically correct version: The number of applicants have increased significantly, necessitating a more rigorous screening process.
Answer: B. The number of applicants has increased significantly, necessitating a more rigorous screening process.
In formal English, the phrase 'the number' is the singular head of the noun phrase, necessitating the singular verb 'has increased'. The complement following 'of' must be the plural count noun 'applicants' to represent the group being counted. Options using 'have' are incorrect because they mistakenly match the verb to the plural 'applicants' rather than the singular head 'the number'.
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Q5The laboratory tests were inconclusive. Neither of the two samples ___ consistent with the initial hypothesis.
Answer: D. was
The distributive pronoun 'neither' is grammatically singular in formal register, referring to each sample individually. 'Was' is the correct singular past form. 'Am' is used only with 'I'; 'is' is present tense, which contradicts the past context of 'were'; and 'have been' is plural, which is considered informal or incorrect in strict academic grammar when using 'neither'.
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Q6While the results showed improvement, the difference between the two groups was only a ___ difference.
Answer: D. marginal
'Marginal' is the precise statistical term for a difference that is so slight it may not be significant. 'Big' and 'large' are general-purpose adjectives that lack the precision and register required for formal analysis. 'Substantial' is the opposite of 'marginal' and would contradict the use of 'only' in this context.
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Q7Select the correct term to complete the sentence: Following the implementation of the new protocols, the company reported a ___ increase in overall efficiency.
Answer: B. fivefold
'Fivefold' is a multiplicative adjective that means 'five times as much'. Adding 'times' or 'factor' to it creates an unnecessarily repetitive phrase (a pleonasm). 'Factor of five' is mathematically valid but usually follows the noun (e.g., 'increased by a factor of five'). 'Fivefold' is the most concise and standard choice for formal writing.
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Q8The report concludes that the ___ accurate, though some minor discrepancies remain.
Answer: C. majority of the data is
When 'majority' is used with a non-count noun like 'data' (treated as a mass of information), it takes a singular verb ('is'). 'Datas' is incorrect because 'data' is already a collective form and usually functions as an uncountable mass noun. 'Majorities' is plural and suggests multiple different groups, which is semantically inappropriate for a single dataset.
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Q9Which sentence correctly follows standard formal British date formatting conventions?
Answer: B. The conference is on 15 October 2024.
Formal British English typically uses the day-month-year order without commas. In professional academic style, ordinal suffixes (st, nd, rd, th) are omitted. Therefore, '15 October 2024' is the standard format. 'October 15, 2024' follows the American convention, while the others use non-standard suffixes or spacing.
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Q10The team conducted a thorough review of the samples. They discovered an ___ quantity of impurities that had compromised the experiment.
Answer: C. appreciable
'Appreciable' is the correct adjective meaning 'large enough to be noticed or measured'. 'Appreciably' is an adverb used to modify verbs or adjectives, 'appreciating' is a participle, and 'appreciate' is a verb. None of these can correctly modify the noun 'quantity'.
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Q11None of the committee members ___ in favor of the proposal, citing insufficient evidence as the primary reason.
Answer: A. was
In strict formal grammar, 'none' is derived from 'not one' and is treated as a singular pronoun, requiring the singular verb 'was'. While the plural 'were' is common in spoken English, 'was' remains the preferred form for high-level academic registers. 'Be' is an infinitive, and 'am' is only used with 'I'.
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Q12The climate study recorded temperature fluctuations ranging ___ 15 degrees Celsius to 25 degrees Celsius throughout the summer.
Answer: C. from
The verb 'ranging' requires the paired prepositions 'from' and 'to' to mark the boundaries of a set. 'Between' is used to define a range in constructions like 'a range between 15 and 25', but 'ranging between 15 to 25' is a common mistake that blends two different structures.
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Q13A ___ minority of the researchers voiced concerns regarding the methodology used in the longitudinal study.
Answer: B. sizeable
'Sizeable' is the formal adjective often paired with 'minority' or 'proportion' to indicate a significant number that is still less than half. 'Heavy' typically describes density or weight (e.g., heavy rain); 'big' is too informal for this context; and 'extreme' describes radical positions rather than a numerical quantity.
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Q14Which sentence follows standard formal American date formatting?
Answer: D. The meeting is scheduled for October 15, 2024, in the main hall.
American formal style requires the month-day-year sequence, with a comma separating the day and the year. Similar to British style, ordinal suffixes (such as '15th') are generally avoided in professional writing. '15 October 2024' is the British/international format.
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Q15The policy was controversial. The majority of the population ___ opposed to the changes, despite the government's reassurances.
Answer: A. is
When 'the majority of' is followed by a collective noun like 'population', which is treated as a single entity, the singular verb 'is' is required. If the noun were a plural count noun like 'people', a plural verb would be appropriate. 'Been' is a past participle requiring an auxiliary verb, and 'be' is the base form.
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Q16The software is capable of handling data processing rates as high ___ 10,000 transactions per second.
Answer: D. as
The construction 'as high as' is an equative comparison used idiomatically to emphasize a maximum limit or a large figure. 'To' would only be used if the phrase were 'up to', and 'at' is used for a specific fixed point rather than an emphasized limit.
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Q17The committee found only a ___ proportion of the budget had been allocated to research and development.
Answer: D. negligible
'Negligible' is the formal adjective used to describe an amount so small it can be ignored. 'Barely' is an adverb and cannot modify the noun 'proportion'. 'Few' modifies plural count nouns (e.g., 'few people'), and 'less' is a comparative form that does not fit here.
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Q18Each of the variables ___ tested under rigorous conditions to ensure the validity of the final model.
Answer: D. was
The distributive pronoun 'each' is the subject of the sentence and is strictly singular. Therefore, it requires the singular verb 'was'. The plural noun 'variables' often tempts speakers to use plural agreement (matching the nearest word), but formal grammar requires agreement with 'each'.
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Q19The study tracked the participants from the first trial ___ the final assessment phase.
Answer: C. through to
'Through to' is the standard prepositional phrase used to indicate a continuous range that reaches a specific end point. 'Towards' implies movement in a direction without necessarily reaching the end; 'unto' is archaic; and 'upon' refers to time or position (e.g., 'upon arrival').
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Q20The researchers analyzed the data carefully. A number of anomalies ___ identified during the preliminary phase.
Answer: C. were
The quantifier 'a number of' acts as a plural determiner, focusing on several individual items, which requires the plural verb 'were'. This is an example of agreement based on the plural meaning of the phrase, as opposed to 'the number of', which is always singular.
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Q21A ___ proportion of the total investment has been diverted to cover unexpected operational costs.
Answer: C. significant
'Significant' is the preferred formal adjective for a noteworthy amount. 'Vastly' is an adverb and cannot modify the noun 'proportion'. 'Heavy' is not a standard collocate for 'proportion' (though it works for 'losses'), and 'big' is too informal for a professional context.
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Q22A minority of the respondents ___ the findings, suggesting that the survey design was inherently biased.
Answer: C. question
When 'minority' is followed by a plural count noun like 'respondents', the verb takes plural agreement ('question'). 'Is questioned' is a passive form that does not fit the active sense of the respondents performing the action. 'Be questioning' and 'questioning' are not finite verbs and cannot complete the sentence.
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Q23The factory output experienced a ___ rise following the installation of the new automated machinery.
Answer: D. tenfold
'Tenfold' is a closed compound multiplicative adjective. 'Decafold' is not a standard English word. 'Ten fold' (written as two words) is less common in modern style guides than the single word 'tenfold', and 'ten times fold' is unnecessarily repetitive as 'fold' already implies 'times'.
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Q24Choose the grammatically correct version: The survey results show that between 30 to 40 percent of the population supports the new policy.
Answer: A. The survey results show that between 30 and 40 percent of the population supports the new policy.
The preposition 'between' must be paired with the conjunction 'and'. Using 'between... to' is a common error. Alternatively, one could use 'from 30 to 40 percent', but mixing these two distinct structures is considered a mistake in formal writing.
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Q25The initial investigation was inconclusive. There was ___ evidence to support the plaintiff's claims, leading the judge to dismiss the case.
Answer: D. little
'Little' is a quantifier used with non-count nouns ('evidence') to express a negative meaning (not much or not enough). 'Few' is only for count nouns. 'A few' and 'a bit of' imply a positive, though small, amount, which would not explain why the case was dismissed for lack of evidence.
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Q26The new engine can operate at speeds as high ___ 200 miles per hour under optimal conditions.
Answer: B. as
The equative construction 'as high as' is the standard way to express a maximum potential value. 'Than' is used for comparisons (e.g., 'higher than'), and 'to' would be used with 'up to' (e.g., 'at speeds up to 200').
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Q27None of the submitted applications ___ the minimum criteria for admission to the doctoral program.
Answer: A. meets
In strict formal grammar, 'none' functions as a singular pronoun (meaning 'not one'). Therefore, the singular verb 'meets' is the correct choice. While plural verbs are often heard in conversation, formal academic writing adheres to singular agreement for 'none'.
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Q28The department reviewed the performance metrics. They noted a ___ decrease in errors. This improvement suggests the training was effective.
Answer: B. fivefold
'Fivefold' is the standard multiplicative adjective used in formal and statistical writing. It is written as a single word. 'Five times fold' is a redundant combination of two different ways to express multiplication.
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Q29The vast majority of the participants ___ satisfied with the outcome of the workshop.
Answer: B. were
When 'majority' is followed by a plural count noun like 'participants', the verb takes plural agreement ('were') because the sentence focuses on the individual people in that group. 'Is' would be used if 'majority' referred to a singular mass or collective entity.
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Q30A ___ proportion of the students failed the exam due to the difficulty of the questions.
Answer: A. significant
'Significant' is the appropriate adjective for a noteworthy quantity in formal writing. 'Amountable' is not a standard word. 'Bit' is informal and requires 'of a', and 'few' can only modify plural nouns, not the singular noun 'proportion'.
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Q31The estimated attendance is 500 people, give or ___ 50, depending on the weather conditions.
Answer: A. take
'Give or take' is a fixed idiomatic expression in English used to indicate an approximate amount or a margin of error.
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Q32The number of students enrolled in the course ___ increasing every semester.
Answer: A. is
The phrase 'the number of' refers to the specific figure or total, which is a singular concept, thus requiring the singular verb 'is'. This is distinct from 'a number of', which acts as a plural quantifier meaning 'several'.
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Q33A ___ proportion of the profits has been reinvested into sustainable energy initiatives.
Answer: A. substantial
'Substantial' is the formal and precise adjective for a large or significant amount. 'Vastly' is an adverb and cannot modify a noun; 'heavy' is an incorrect collocate for 'proportion'; and 'big' is insufficiently formal.
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Q34The range of temperatures observed during the experiment was ___ 10 and 20 degrees.
Answer: C. between
When two values are connected by 'and', the correct preceding preposition is 'between'. If the sentence used 'to', 'from' would be required (e.g., 'from 10 to 20 degrees').
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Q35The board met on 12 November 2023. They discussed the budget. Neither of the proposals ___ accepted.
Answer: A. was
'Neither' is a distributive pronoun that refers to two things individually and requires singular agreement ('was') in formal registers. 'Is' is also singular but is incorrect here because the date '12 November 2023' establishes a past context.
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Q36The analysis revealed only a ___ amount of sediment in the water samples, which was well within safety limits.
Answer: D. negligible
'Negligible' is the formal term for an amount so small it can be disregarded. 'Minutely' is an adverb or an adjective meaning 'extremely detailed'; 'few' only modifies count nouns; and 'bit' is too informal for this context.
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Q37Neither of the candidates ___ the requirements for the senior position, so the search will continue.
Answer: A. meets
The pronoun 'neither' requires a singular verb ('meets') in formal English. Using plural verbs like 'have met' or 'are meeting' is common in casual speech because the nearby noun 'candidates' is plural, but this is considered an error in academic writing.
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Q38Choose the grammatically correct version: The population growth has been tenfold times higher than expected.
Answer: B. The population growth has been tenfold higher than expected.
'Tenfold' already means 'ten times as much'. Adding 'times' is an unnecessary repetition (pleonasm). 'Tenfoldly' is a non-standard form because 'tenfold' can already function as an adverb.
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Q39The recent report highlights a 15% ___ in production costs compared to the previous fiscal year.
Answer: C. increase
'Increase' is the standard, neutral noun for a rise in quantities or costs. 'Raise' is usually reserved for salary increases; 'boost' is often informal and implies a deliberate push; 'growing' is a participle/gerund and does not fit the noun position following the percentage.
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Q40The greater part of the manuscript ___ written in the late nineteenth century.
Answer: A. was
The phrase 'the greater part of' refers to a portion of a singular entity ('the manuscript'), which requires the singular verb 'was'. If the object were plural (e.g., 'the greater part of the manuscripts'), plural agreement would be used.
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Q41The experiment was complex. A number of variables ___ controlled to ensure accuracy.
Answer: A. were
'A number of' is a multi-word quantifier that functions as a plural determiner, requiring the plural verb 'were'. This construction emphasizes that there were several distinct variables being managed.
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Q42The study examined the range of motion. It found that the joint movement was restricted. The angle measured from 10 degrees ___ 45 degrees.
Answer: C. to
The paired prepositions 'from... to' are the standard way to express a numerical range. 'Until' is used for time; 'towards' indicates direction; and 'through' is not part of this specific numerical range construction.
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Q43Which sentence is written in the most formal, academic register?
Answer: C. A significant quantity of the data is missing.
Academic register uses precise adjectives like 'significant' and formal nouns like 'quantity'. Words like 'huge', 'big', and phrases like 'a lot of' are considered too vague or informal for professional writing.
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Q44The company has dedicated a ___ proportion of its resources to improving cybersecurity measures.
Answer: A. substantial
'Substantial' is the standard formal adjective used to describe a large or important amount. 'Big' is informal; 'vastly' is an adverb and cannot modify a noun; 'heavy' is not used to describe a 'proportion'.
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Q45The research team collected the samples. The majority of the data ___ consistent with the earlier results.
Answer: B. is
'Data' is standardly treated as an uncountable mass noun in modern academic English, taking a singular verb. Therefore, 'the majority of the data is' is the correct form. 'Are being' would only be used for an ongoing action, and 'am/be' are grammatically impossible here.
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