Contoh Soal Bahasa Inggris CPNS Terbaru: Latihan Komprehensif untuk Seleksi CASN 2024

1. If I had known about the traffic jam, I _______ a different route.

• would take
• had taken
• would have taken
• will take

Answer: would have taken

Explanation: This is a Third Conditional sentence, used for hypothetical situations in the past. The structure is ‘If + Past Perfect, would have + Past Participle’.

2. The new policy _______ by the government last month.

• announced
• was announced
• has announced
• is announcing

Answer: was announced

Explanation: The sentence is in the passive voice, indicating that the policy (the subject) received the action of announcing. ‘Last month’ indicates past tense.

3. She is proficient _______ several languages, including English and French.

• at
• with
• in
• on

Answer: in

Explanation: The correct preposition to use with ‘proficient’ when referring to skills or subjects is ‘in’.

4. Choose the word closest in meaning to ‘diligent’.

• lazy
• careless
• industrious
• reckless

Answer: industrious

Explanation: ‘Diligent’ means having or showing care and conscientiousness in one’s work or duties. ‘Industrious’ means diligent and hard-working.

5. Despite _______ hard, he failed the exam.

• to study
• studied
• study
• studying

Answer: studying

Explanation: After ‘despite’ (a preposition), we use a gerund (verb + -ing).

6. The manager asked her _______ the report by Friday.

• submitting
• submit
• to submit
• submitted

Answer: to submit

Explanation: The verb ‘ask’ followed by an object often takes an infinitive (to + verb) to express a request or instruction.

7. Neither the students nor the teacher _______ ready for the sudden test.

• were
• are
• is
• was

Answer: was

Explanation: When ‘neither…nor’ connects two subjects, the verb agrees with the subject closer to it. Here, ‘the teacher’ is singular, so the verb ‘was’ is correct.

8. He would rather _______ at home than go to the party.

• to stay
• staying
• stay
• stayed

Answer: stay

Explanation: After ‘would rather’, the base form of the verb is used.

9. The company decided to _______ the new software next month.

• implicate
• imply
• impede
• implement

Answer: implement

Explanation: To ‘implement’ means to put (a decision, plan, agreement, etc.) into effect. This fits the context of introducing new software.

10. Which sentence is grammatically correct?

• Despite of the rain, we went out.
• She enjoy to read books in her free time.
• He is more taller than his brother.
• They went to the park, and then they had a picnic.

Answer: They went to the park, and then they had a picnic.

Explanation: The other options contain grammatical errors: ‘Despite of’ is incorrect (should be ‘Despite’ or ‘In spite of’). ‘She enjoy to read’ is incorrect (should be ‘enjoys reading’). ‘He is more taller’ is redundant (should be ‘taller’ or ‘more tall’ if referring to abstract qualities).

11. The accident occurred _______ the driver lost control of the vehicle.

• although
• unless
• because
• however

Answer: because

Explanation: ‘Because’ is a conjunction used to show the reason or cause for something.

12. It’s important _______ all instructions carefully before starting the exam.

• reading
• read
• to read
• reads

Answer: to read

Explanation: After adjectives expressing importance or necessity, the infinitive (to + verb) is often used.

13. The word ‘ubiquitous’ most nearly means:

• rare
• unique
• present everywhere
• limited

Answer: present everywhere

Explanation: ‘Ubiquitous’ means present, appearing, or found everywhere.

14. If you heat water to 100°C, it _______.

• would boil
• will boil
• boils
• boiled

Answer: boils

Explanation: This is a Zero Conditional sentence, used for facts or general truths. The structure is ‘If + Present Simple, Present Simple’.

15. The committee _______ its decision yesterday.

• make
• has made
• made
• is making

Answer: made

Explanation: The phrase ‘make a decision’ is a common collocation. ‘Yesterday’ indicates the simple past tense.

16. Many species are _______ extinction due to habitat loss.

• in danger with
• at the edge for
• on the verge of
• near to

Answer: on the verge of

Explanation: The idiom ‘on the verge of’ means very close to experiencing something. ‘On the verge of extinction’ is a common phrase.

17. The journalist asked, “What is your opinion on the new tax reform?” In reported speech, this would be:

• The journalist asked what is his opinion on the new tax reform.
• The journalist asked what his opinion on the new tax reform was.
• The journalist asked what was his opinion on the new tax reform.
• The journalist asked what his opinion was on the new tax reform?

Answer: The journalist asked what his opinion on the new tax reform was.

Explanation: When reporting a ‘wh’-question, we use the question word (what) followed by the subject and then the verb, changing the tense appropriately (from present ‘is’ to past ‘was’).

18. I wish I _______ more time to travel the world.

• have
• had
• will have
• would have

Answer: had

Explanation: To express a wish about the present or future, we use ‘wish’ followed by the past simple tense.

19. The novel, _______ was written by a Nobel laureate, received critical acclaim.

• who
• whom
• whose
• which

Answer: which

Explanation: ‘Which’ is a relative pronoun used to introduce a non-restrictive clause that provides additional information about a thing (the novel).

20. Choose the sentence that uses the correct verb form: ‘He _______ in Jakarta for ten years now.’

• lives
• lived
• is living
• has been living

Answer: has been living

Explanation: ‘For ten years now’ indicates an action that started in the past and continues into the present, requiring the present perfect continuous tense.

1. Identify and correct the grammatical error in the following sentence: ‘Everyone are expected to submit their reports by Monday.’

Answer: The error is ‘are’ and it should be ‘is’. Correct sentence: ‘Everyone is expected to submit their reports by Monday.’

Explanation: ‘Everyone’ is an indefinite pronoun that takes a singular verb.

2. Rewrite the following sentence in the passive voice: ‘The students will complete the project next week.’

Answer: The project will be completed by the students next week.

Explanation: To transform an active voice sentence in future simple to passive voice, use ‘will be’ + past participle of the main verb, and make the object of the active sentence the subject of the passive one.

3. Provide a synonym for the word ‘innovative’.

Answer: Creative / Original / Novel / Pioneering

Explanation: ‘Innovative’ describes something new, original, and advanced.

4. What is the main purpose of a ‘cover letter’ when applying for a job?

Answer: To introduce yourself to the employer, express your interest in the position, and highlight how your skills and experiences align with the job requirements.

Explanation: A cover letter serves as a personalized introduction, complementing the resume by explaining why you are a good fit for the role.

5. Fill in the blank with the correct form of the verb: ‘He advised me _______ (not to give up) on my dreams.’

Answer: not to give up

Explanation: The verb ‘advise’ is typically followed by an object and then an infinitive (to + verb). For negative advice, ‘not’ comes before the ‘to-infinitive’.

1. Discuss the importance of English proficiency for a civil servant (ASN/PNS) in Indonesia in the current globalized era. (Minimum 100 words)

Answer: In today’s increasingly globalized world, English proficiency has become an indispensable asset for civil servants (ASN/PNS) in Indonesia. Firstly, it facilitates effective communication with international counterparts, crucial for diplomatic relations, bilateral agreements, and multilateral collaborations. As Indonesia actively participates in regional and global forums, ASNs with strong English skills can represent the nation’s interests more articulately and confidently. Secondly, access to vast international knowledge and resources, often published in English, becomes easier. This includes research papers, policy documents, and best practices from other countries, which can inform better policy-making and public service innovation within Indonesia. Thirdly, English skills enhance professional development opportunities, such as international training programs, scholarships, and conferences, allowing ASNs to continually upgrade their expertise. Finally, in sectors like tourism or international trade, English proficiency is vital for providing excellent service to foreign visitors or stakeholders. Therefore, investing in English language education for civil servants is not merely a personal benefit but a strategic imperative for national development and global competitiveness.

Explanation: This essay requires candidates to articulate the benefits of English proficiency for civil servants, covering aspects like international communication, access to knowledge, professional development, and specific sectoral advantages. A good answer should present clear arguments with logical flow and appropriate vocabulary.

2. Explain the difference between ‘affect’ and ‘effect’ and provide an example sentence for each.

Answer: ‘Affect’ is predominantly used as a verb, meaning to influence or produce a change in something. For example: ‘The sudden rain will affect our outdoor plans.’ ‘Effect’ is most commonly used as a noun, referring to the result or consequence of an action or cause. For example: ‘The new policy had a positive effect on the community.’ While ‘effect’ can also be a verb (meaning ‘to bring about’ or ‘to cause to happen’), its usage is much less frequent than ‘affect’ as a verb or ‘effect’ as a noun. The key distinction lies in ‘affect’ being the action of influencing, and ‘effect’ being the outcome of that influence.

Explanation: This question tests the candidate’s understanding and correct usage of two commonly confused English words. The answer should clearly define each word’s primary function (verb vs. noun) and provide illustrative examples.

3. Describe a time when you faced a challenge and how you overcame it, emphasizing any role that language skills (specifically English) played in the process. (Minimum 100 words)

Answer: During my university years, I was tasked with leading a group project for an international business course. The challenge arose when one of our key reference materials was an extensive research paper published by a European institution, written entirely in academic English. My team members struggled to grasp its complex terminology and theoretical frameworks, hindering our progress. Recognizing this, I took the initiative to meticulously read and translate the most pertinent sections, explaining difficult concepts in simpler terms to my team. My existing English proficiency, particularly in understanding specialized vocabulary and academic discourse, was crucial here. I also used my English skills to communicate directly with the paper’s authors via email, seeking clarification on certain methodologies, which provided invaluable insights for our project. This experience not only honed my leadership and problem-solving abilities but also underscored the practical importance of English as a tool for accessing global knowledge and facilitating international communication, ultimately enabling us to successfully complete the project with a high distinction.

Explanation: This question assesses storytelling ability, self-reflection, and the capacity to link personal experience with the practical application of language skills. A good answer will outline the challenge, the steps taken, and explicitly highlight how English proficiency contributed to the solution.

4. What are the key components of a well-structured paragraph in English? Explain each briefly.

Answer: A well-structured paragraph in English typically consists of three key components: a topic sentence, supporting sentences, and a concluding sentence. The topic sentence is usually the first sentence and introduces the main idea or argument of the paragraph. It acts as a mini-thesis for the paragraph, guiding the reader on what to expect. Supporting sentences follow the topic sentence and provide evidence, examples, explanations, details, or elaborations that back up the main idea. These sentences work together to develop the central theme, ensuring coherence and clarity. Finally, the concluding sentence, often the last sentence, summarizes the main point of the paragraph, reinforces the topic sentence in different words, or provides a transition to the next paragraph. It gives the paragraph a sense of completeness and closure, leaving the reader with a clear understanding of the message.

Explanation: This question evaluates the candidate’s understanding of fundamental English writing principles. The answer should correctly identify the three main parts of a paragraph and provide a concise explanation for each.

5. Imagine you are writing an official email to an international organization requesting partnership for a government program. Draft a short paragraph (50-70 words) for the opening of this email, focusing on clarity and formality.

Answer: Dear [Name of Contact Person / Organization Name], I am writing on behalf of the [Your Ministry/Department Name] of the Republic of Indonesia to express our profound interest in exploring a potential partnership with your esteemed organization. We are launching an initiative focused on [briefly mention program area, e.g., sustainable development/public health improvement] and believe your expertise in [their area of expertise] would be invaluable. We are eager to discuss how our shared goals could translate into a mutually beneficial collaboration for the advancement of public welfare.

Explanation: This question assesses the candidate’s ability to write formal and concise English in a professional context. The response should demonstrate appropriate tone, clear purpose, and a professional opening for a partnership request.

1. Match the English idioms with their correct meanings.

Answer: 1. Break a leg – Good luck, 2. Hit the road – To leave, 3. Bite the bullet – Endure a difficult situation, 4. Get out of hand – Become uncontrollable

Explanation: This tests knowledge of common English idioms and their contextual meanings.

2. Match the words with their most appropriate antonyms.

Answer: 1. Optimistic – Pessimistic, 2. Abundant – Scarce, 3. Flexible – Rigid, 4. Expand – Contract, 5. Temporary – Permanent

Explanation: This tests vocabulary knowledge, specifically antonyms.