Versant Student Placement Exam Practice Questions & Answers

Versant Student Placement Practice Exam – Parts A to I

The Versant Student Placement Exam contains parts A to I. It is similar to the 4-skills test, but it also has summary and opinion, read aloud, and typing sections.

To prepare for the Versant Student Placement Exam, try the sample test items in the sections below. Then click on the links to check your answers at the bottom of the page.

Part A – Reading Aloud

Instructions: Read the passages below in a clear, natural voice. You will have 30 seconds to speak for each one.

Play the recordings and begin reading aloud when instructed. Please stop when you hear the beep at the end of the recording.

Passage 1

Recent research shows that social media platforms may actually be making us antisocial. Survey results indicate that many people would prefer to interact on Facebook or Twitter, rather than see friends and family in person. The primary reason cited for this phenomenon was that one does not need to go to the effort to dress up and travel in order to use these social media platforms. It seems that social media platforms may be having a detrimental impact upon our social skills and interpersonal relationships.

Passage 2

“All knowledge that is about human society is historical knowledge and therefore rests upon judgment and interpretation. This is not to say that facts or data are non-existent, but that facts get their importance from what is made of them in interpretation. That is because interpretations depend very much on who the interpreter is, who he or she is addressing, what his or her purpose is, and at what historical moment the interpretation takes place.” (Edward Said)

Part B – Repeat

Instructions: Now you will hear 16 sentences.

Please repeat each sentence word-for-word.

Then listen again and check your answers.

Part B Answers

Part C – Sentence Builds

Instructions: You will hear three groups of words in an incorrect order. After you hear them, say the sentence or question with the words in the correct order.

You will hear a beep on your recording when your time for each one is finished.

Example: was looking at / my father / his favorite book

Part C Answers

Part D – Conversations

Instructions: You will hear conversations between two people, followed by questions. Give a short simple response to each question. When you have finished all these Versant Student Placement Exam questions, listen to the recording again and check your answers, using the answer key at the end of the book.

Example: Speaker 1 – Maria, can you work late tomorrow?

Speaker 2 – Sure, until when?

Speaker 1 – Until 8:00 o’clock.

Question: What does Maria have to do tomorrow?

Part D Answers

Part E – Typing

Instructions: Now open a word processing program in another tab on your computer. Accurately type as much of the passage as you can in 60 seconds.

For the time limit, please click on the audio below.

The use of computers in the stock market helps to control national and international finance. These controls were originally designed in order to create long-term monetary stability and protect shareholders from catastrophic losses. Because of the high level of automation involved in buying and selling shares, computer-to-computer trading could now paradoxically result in a downturn in the stock market. Such a slump in the market, if not properly regulated, could bring about a computer-led stock market crash. Needless to say, such an economic collapse would have disastrous consequences for the entire global economy. For this reason, rules and procedures have been put in place by various regulating bodies.

Part F – Sentence Completion

Instructions: Please choose one word that best fits the meaning of each sentence. The beeps on the recording indicate the time allowed for each one.

You should play the recording as you write down your answers.

What do you __________ for a living?
How much does this book __________? There’s no price on it.
My __________ is very large. There are my parents and twelve siblings.
She can __________ five different languages fluently.
There were many guests at the celebration, so it was a bit __________ inside.
An increasing __________ of families are experiencing financial problems.
I don’t __________ what he wrote to me. I’m going to tear up that letter and throw it away.
The game had to be __________ indefinitely because of the damage to the stadium.
He asked the politician a bunch of questions that she didn’t have time to __________ .
My boss complimented me yesterday by __________ how efficient I am.
He was really feeling depressed. The bad news really got him __________ .
The supermarket has many different __________ of fruit and vegetables.
Littering is __________ the law, and if you do so, you will have to pay a fine.
You can’t smoke in here. In fact, smoking is __________ in the entire building.
He seemed very rude. He didn’t __________ “hello” or greet us in any way.
My parents have __________ me a great deal of support throughout my life.
You shouldn’t swim too __________ out in the sea because of the dangerous tides.
She had to hurry to work today to avoid __________ late.

Part F Answers

Part G – Dictation

Instructions: Now open the word processor program on your computer. You will hear 14 sentences.

Type each sentence on your computer exactly as you hear it in the time provided on the recording.

Part G Answers

Part H – Passage Reconstruction

Instructions: For this part of the test, you will read two paragraphs. You will have 30 seconds to read each one. You then need to re-write the passage, using your own words in the time allowed on the recording. For this practice test, type your answer into a word processing program. You will be allowed 90 seconds to rewrite each of the passages. Please listen to the recording for the timings of the reading and the writing sections.

DO NOT LOOK AT THE PARAGRAPH AS YOU RE-WRITE IT!

Paragraph 1:

Mark your calendar for the company picnic on Saturday June 11^th. This year we are going to have a barbeque and live music from a band called Infinity. Please bring your spouse and children, or any other guests that you’d like to attend. The event will be held from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM on Saturday June 11^th. See you there.

Paragraph 2:

The company wants to advise everyone that we will no longer be able to offer free gym membership to our employees. Unfortunately, the gym that the company partners with has decided to double their fees because of their increased operating costs. However, if any employee would like to continue their gym membership, they may do so at half the price of the new fees. Please contact Brooke in HR for more information.

Part H Answers

Part I – Versant Student Placement Exam Summary and Opinion

Instructions: Read the passage below. Then open the word processing application in another tab in your computer. Then write two responses. The first response is a 50 words summary of the passage. The second gives your opinion on the topic. You will have 18 minutes to read the passage and write both of your answers.

Credit card debt is a major cause of over one million bankruptcies each year. The reason is that many people get a credit card without researching and reading the fine print. By the time annual fees are added on, along with spending indiscriminately, payments are missed, which causes balances to skyrocket. Although we all like to place the blame on the credit cards and the credit card companies, individuals themselves are the real culprits. In short, if a person’s credit card spending is out of control, they need to keep in mind that the real cause of the financial mess is a lack of self-discipline. If a person can summon enough willpower and strength to manage their finances and spending, then they will find be winners in the game of finance. It may be easy to get into debt, but getting out of debt is much more difficult.

Versant Student Placement Practice Exam – Answers

The answers for the above Versant Student Placement Practice Exam are provided in the following sections.

Part B Answers

What are you waiting for?
It looks like everyone is gone for the day.
Not everyone feels the way that you do.
You really should hire him right now.
Someone will be with you shortly.
That’s just the way she wanted it.
If you forget your password, click on the link below.
I just don’t want to be the reason for the delay.
Mason had the last laugh.
How many people do you expect to attend the conference?
Talk to a financial advisor for information about investing.
One box of high-quality paper should be enough for the job.
The heat index declined twenty percent last year.
Far fewer students took a math course this term compared to last.
Our offices will be closed on Monday due to the holiday.
Protective shoes must be worn in this area at all times.

Part C Answers

staying here / how long / is he – How long is he staying here?
of her house / some pictures / she has – She has some pictures of her house.
these mistakes / corrected / need to be – These mistakes need to be corrected.
across the street / for sale / is the house – Is the house across the street for sale?
the bus / in thirty minutes / should arrive – The bus should arrive in thirty minutes.
is more important / experience / than training – Experience is more important than training.
your name / on this form / be sure you sign – Be sure you sign your name on this form.
to learn / he is trying / English – He is trying to learn English.

Part D Answers

Conversation 1:

Are you done reading this book?
I’m not reading it. You can take it if you want to.
Thanks! I’ll return it next week.
What did the woman borrow?
Answer: the man’s book

Conversation 2:

I’m going for a walk later.
You should take an umbrella in case it rains
Thanks for reminding me.
What will the man take on his walk?

Answer: an umbrella

Conversation 3:

Is the train the quickest way to get to your house?
Actually, I think the bus is faster. The train has a lot of delays.
Thanks for letting me know.
How will the man travel to the woman’s house?
Answer: the bus

Conversation 4:

According to the weather forecast, it’s going to snow tomorrow.
Maybe we can go skiing this weekend.
We’ll have to remember to take along everything we need.
What are they hoping to do this weekend?
Answer: go skiing

Conversation 5:

Did you tell the boss that you were sick yesterday?
Yes, I told him this morning.
I only asked because we’re supposed to do it.
What happened to the man yesterday?
Answer: He was sick.

Conversation 6:

John is such a friendly person.
I know. I really like him too.
I’m going to see him tomorrow.
Why do they like John?
Answer: because he is a friendly person

Conversation 7:

Are you going to see your friends on Sunday?
No, I need to work some extra hours.
Maybe you can see them next Sunday.
What will the man do this weekend?
Answer: work some extra hours

Conversation 8:

The manager didn’t come to the meeting yesterday.
Why not?
I guess he had a last-minute emergency.
Who didn’t attend the meeting yesterday?
Answer: the manager

Conversation 9:

When I got there, she wasn’t even at home.
So, what did you do?
I just came back here.
What happened to the woman?
Answer: Her friend wasn’t at home.

Conversation 10:

My mother is really a great cook.
I think she’s the best cook in the world.
Me too.
What did the man say about his mother?
Answer: She is a great cook.

Conversation 11:

Do you want to eat at that new restaurant tonight?
I don’t really feel like it.
Okay, maybe some other evening.
What does the woman suggest?
Answer: eating at the new restaurant

Conversation 12:

Are you still working in the call center?
Yes, I really like it.
It must be a good job.
Where is the man working?
Answer: in the call center

Part F Answers

do
cost
family
speak
crowded
number (Note: “amount” is incorrect because “families” is a countable noun.)
like
postponed (Note that “cancelled” is incorrect because of the word “indefinitely.”)
answer / address
saying / mentioning
down
kinds / types / varieties
against
prohibited / forbidden
say
given
far
being

Part G Answers

I’m afraid I disagree with you.
At the moment, it’s raining really heavily.
We should be able to find a way forward if we put our heads together.
She said she really enjoyed her meal.
Customers should note that our phone number and email will remain the same.
The train arrived half an hour late.
I’m looking forward to seeing you tomorrow.
Having a hobby is good for your mental health.
The store is always so busy, especially on the weekends.
I need to work until 9:00 o’clock tonight.
Would you consider moving if we offered you a transfer?
Many people dream of getting a well-paid office job.
Please have the report ready by the weekend.
Profits were much higher than the company had expected.

Part H Sample Responses

Paragraph 1 Sample Response

The company wanted to tell everyone to plan for the company picnic on the 11^th of June, which is a Saturday. There is going to be a band called Infinity, and there will also be a barbeque. Employees were told to bring along friends and family members.

Paragraph 2 Sample Response

The company advised all of its employees that gym membership would no longer be offered for free. The gym’s fees had doubled in price because its costs had gone up. So, now the employees can carry on with their gym membership for half of the new price. To do this, they need to get in touch with Brooke in HR.

Versant 4-Skills Practice Exam

More Versant Student Placement Exam Information

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Official Versant Information

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The Versant Test and the Versant Student Placement Exam are trademarks or Pearson Inc, which is not affiliated with nor endorses these materials