Adult ESL/ELL High Beginner Quiz: Following Written Instructions
10 questions · exam conditions
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Following Written InstructionsQuestion 1 of 10

Laundry Detergent Label Instructions:

  1. Sort clothes by color: whites, lights, and darks.

  2. Add 1 cup of detergent for a small load, 2 cups for a large load.

  3. Set the water temperature: cold for darks, warm for lights, hot for whites.

  4. Do NOT mix bleach with this detergent.

  5. Start the machine after closing the lid.

Maria has a large load of dark clothes. She wants to wash them correctly. Which of the following should she do?

Add 2 cups of detergent and set the water to cold temperature.
Add 1 cup of detergent and set the water to cold temperature.
Add 2 cups of detergent and set the water to hot temperature.
Add 1 cup of detergent and set the water to warm temperature.
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Adult ESL/ELL High Beginner Quiz

Adult ESL/ELL High Beginner Quiz: Following Written Instructions

Practice Following Written Instructions in Adult ESL/ELL High Beginner with focused quiz questions that help you check what you know, review explanations, and build confidence with test-style prompts.

What this quiz covers

This quiz focuses on Following Written Instructions, giving you a quick way to practice the rules, question types, and explanations that matter most for Adult ESL/ELL High Beginner.

How to use this quiz

Try each quiz question before looking at the correct answer. Use the explanations to review missed ideas, then come back to similar questions until the pattern feels familiar.

All questions

Question 1

Laundry Detergent Label Instructions:

  1. Sort clothes by color: whites, lights, and darks.

  2. Add 1 cup of detergent for a small load, 2 cups for a large load.

  3. Set the water temperature: cold for darks, warm for lights, hot for whites.

  4. Do NOT mix bleach with this detergent.

  5. Start the machine after closing the lid.

Maria has a large load of dark clothes. She wants to wash them correctly. Which of the following should she do?

  1. Add 2 cups of detergent and set the water to cold temperature. (correct answer)
  2. Add 1 cup of detergent and set the water to cold temperature.
  3. Add 2 cups of detergent and set the water to hot temperature.
  4. Add 1 cup of detergent and set the water to warm temperature.
Explanation: When reading instruction labels, your job is to find specific details that match the situation in the question. Here, you need two pieces of information about Maria's laundry: how much detergent to use and what water temperature to set. Looking at the label, instruction #2 tells you that a large load requires 2 cups of detergent. Instruction #3 tells you that dark clothes need cold water. Maria has a large load of darks, so she needs 2 cups of detergent AND cold water — which is exactly what A says. That makes A the correct answer. Now let's look at why the other choices are wrong. B gets the temperature right (cold) but uses only 1 cup of detergent — that amount is for a small load, not a large one. C uses the correct amount of detergent (2 cups) but sets the water to hot — the label says hot is for whites, not darks. D makes two mistakes at once: 1 cup is for small loads, and warm water is for lights, not darks. Each wrong answer mixes up at least one detail from the instructions. A helpful strategy: when a question asks you to match two or more details (like load size AND clothing color), slow down and check each detail separately against the text. Find the answer to each part before choosing. Questions like this are designed to trick you into getting one detail right but forgetting the other. Always double-check both.

Question 2

Job Application Checklist: ☐ Step 1: Fill out the application form completely. ☐ Step 2: Attach a copy of your resume. ☐ Step 3: Include two references. References must NOT be family members. ☐ Step 4: Sign and date the application on the last page. ☐ Step 5: Submit the application by 5:00 p.m. on Friday.

Note: Incomplete applications will NOT be reviewed.

Ana finished filling out her application and attached her resume. She listed her brother and her neighbor as her two references. She signed the form and submitted it at 4:45 p.m. on Friday. What is the problem with Ana's application?

  1. Her application is incomplete because one of her references is a family member, which is not allowed. (correct answer)
  2. Her application is incomplete because she submitted it too late — the deadline had already passed.
  3. Her application is incomplete because she did not sign and date the form on the last page.
  4. Her application is incomplete because she only attached a resume instead of two copies of her resume.
Explanation: When reading a checklist or set of instructions, your job is to carefully compare what each step requires with what the person actually did. Even one broken rule can make the whole application invalid. Look at Step 3: it clearly states that references must not be family members. Ana listed her brother as one of her references. A brother is a family member, which directly violates this rule. Because of this, her application is incomplete — and the note at the bottom warns that incomplete applications will not be reviewed. That makes A the correct answer. Now let's look at why the other choices are wrong. B says she submitted the application too late, but Ana submitted at 4:45 p.m. on Friday — that is before the 5:00 p.m. deadline, not after it. The timing was actually fine. C says she didn't sign and date the form, but the passage tells you she did sign the form in Step 4 — there is no mention of her skipping that step. D says she needed two copies of her resume, but Step 2 only asks for "a copy" (one copy) of her resume, so attaching one resume was correct. Each wrong answer points to a step Ana actually completed correctly — the trap is assuming she made a mistake somewhere she didn't. The real problem is the one rule she broke: using a family member as a reference. Study tip: When a passage lists rules with the word "NOT" or "must," pay extra attention — exam questions almost always test those specific restrictions.

Question 3

Library Card Application Instructions:

  • You must be 18 years or older OR have a parent or guardian sign the form.
  • Bring one photo ID (driver's license, passport, or school ID).
  • Bring one proof of address (utility bill, lease, or bank statement — must be from the last 60 days).
  • There is no fee for a new library card.
  • Cards are ready in 5–10 business days.

Lena is 16 years old. She brings her school ID and a utility bill dated 45 days ago. Her mother is not with her. Can Lena get a library card today?

  1. No, because she needs to pay a fee first, and the card will not be ready until she returns in 5–10 days.
  2. No, because her utility bill is too old — it must be from the last 30 days, not 45 days.
  3. No, because a school ID is not an accepted form of photo identification for this application.
  4. No, because Lena is under 18 and her parent or guardian is not there to sign the form. (correct answer)
Explanation: When reading a document with multiple rules, your job is to check every condition — not just some of them. For a question like this, mentally work through each requirement one by one and ask: does this person meet it? The instructions say you must be 18 or older OR have a parent or guardian sign the form. Lena is 16, so she doesn't meet the age requirement. The "or" gives her another path — but only if her parent or guardian is present to sign. Her mother is not with her, so that path is also closed. This means Lena cannot get a library card today, making D the correct answer. Now let's look at why the other choices are wrong. A is incorrect on two counts: the passage clearly states there is no fee, so a fee is never a barrier for anyone. B is a trick — it changes a detail from the passage. The instructions say proof of address must be from the last 60 days, not 30 days. Lena's utility bill is 45 days old, which is within the 60-day window, so her bill is actually acceptable. C is also false — the passage explicitly lists "school ID" as an accepted photo ID, so Lena's school ID is perfectly valid. Notice that B and C are designed to make you doubt documents that are actually fine. The real problem is the age/guardian rule, which is easy to overlook when you're focused on checking IDs and paperwork. Strategy tip: On document-reading questions, don't stop as soon as you find one thing that seems wrong. Check all the rules — the correct answer is often the one requirement that's easy to miss.

Question 4

Bus Pass Application — Instructions:

  • Complete both sides of the form in black or blue ink only.
  • Attach a passport-size photo (taken within the last 6 months).
  • Submit the form at Window 3 between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.
  • The pass costs $25.00. Pay by check or money order only. No cash accepted.
  • Allow 3 business days for processing.

Rosa completes both sides of the form in pencil. She attaches a photo taken 4 months ago. She arrives at Window 3 at 3:30 p.m. on a Wednesday and tries to pay $25.00 in cash. How many of these instructions did Rosa NOT follow?

  1. One instruction: she only made a mistake by trying to pay with cash instead of a check or money order.
  2. Three instructions: she used pencil, her photo is too old, and she tried to pay with cash.
  3. Two instructions: she used pencil instead of black or blue ink, and she tried to pay with cash. (correct answer)
  4. Three instructions: she used pencil, she arrived too close to closing time, and she tried to pay with cash.
Explanation: When a question asks you to count how many instructions someone didn't follow, go through each rule one by one and check it carefully against what the person actually did. Rosa made exactly two mistakes. First, she used pencil — the instructions clearly say to use black or blue ink only, so pencil is not allowed. Second, she tried to pay $25.00 in cash, but the instructions say "no cash accepted" and require a check or money order. These are two clear violations, making C the correct answer. Now let's look at why the other choices are wrong. A says Rosa only made one mistake (paying with cash) — but this ignores her pencil mistake, which is a direct violation of the ink requirement. B says she made three mistakes and includes her photo as one of them — but look again: the instructions say the photo must be taken within the last 6 months, and Rosa's photo is only 4 months old. That means her photo is fine! This is a common trap — re-read the rule carefully before deciding something is a violation. D also claims three mistakes and says Rosa "arrived too close to closing time" — but she arrived at 3:30 p.m., and the window is open until 4:00 p.m. She was on time, so this is not a violation at all. Your strategy tip: on instructions-based questions, always check every detail against exactly what the rule says. Don't assume something is wrong — verify it. Distractors are designed to trick you into counting things that aren't actually mistakes.

Question 5

Recipe Instructions — Simple Rice:

  1. Rinse 1 cup of rice with cold water until the water runs clear.

  2. Add 2 cups of water to a pot. Bring to a boil over high heat.

  3. Add the rice and 1/2 teaspoon of salt. Stir once.

  4. Reduce heat to LOW. Cover the pot with a lid.

  5. Cook for 18 minutes. Do NOT lift the lid during cooking.

  6. Remove from heat. Let the rice rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Min follows all the steps but lifts the lid at minute 10 to stir the rice, then covers it again and waits until minute 18 to remove it from heat. She serves it immediately after removing it from heat. Which step(s) did Min NOT follow correctly?

  1. She lifted the lid during cooking, but she served the rice correctly — the 5-minute rest is a suggestion, not a required step.
  2. She lifted the lid during cooking and she did not let the rice rest for 5 minutes before serving. (correct answer)
  3. She only made one mistake: she should not have lifted the lid. Serving the rice right away after removing it from heat is allowed.
  4. She only made one mistake: she did not let the rice rest for 5 minutes. Lifting the lid briefly to stir does not break any rule.
Explanation: When reading recipe or instruction questions, your job is to compare what the person actually did against what the instructions specifically say. Go step by step and check every action. The recipe gives two clear rules: (1) "Do NOT lift the lid during cooking," and (2) "Let the rice rest for 5 minutes before serving." Min broke both. She lifted the lid at minute 10, which directly violates Step 5. Then she served the rice immediately after removing it from heat, skipping the 5-minute rest required in Step 6. That makes B the correct answer — she made two mistakes, not one. Looking at why the other choices miss the mark: A correctly identifies the lid mistake but then wrongly calls the 5-minute rest a "suggestion." The recipe uses the word "before serving," which makes it a required step, not optional advice. C gets the lid violation right but claims serving immediately is allowed — it isn't, because Step 6 clearly states the rice must rest first. D makes the opposite error: it dismisses the lid rule as unimportant while correctly catching the rest mistake. But "Do NOT lift the lid" is a direct instruction written in capital letters for emphasis — that is absolutely a broken rule. A common trap on these questions is assuming that small or brief actions don't count as rule violations. They do. If an instruction says "do not" do something, doing it — even briefly — is a mistake. When answering this type of question, underline or mentally note every command word in the instructions, then check each one against what the person actually did.

Question 6

Fire Evacuation Checklist — Posted on Office Wall: ☐ 1. When you hear the alarm, stop all work immediately. ☐ 2. Do NOT use the elevator. Use the stairs only. ☐ 3. Take your bag or personal items ONLY if they are immediately at hand. ☐ 4. Close — but do NOT lock — all doors behind you as you leave. ☐ 5. Walk quickly to the nearest exit. Do not run. ☐ 6. Meet at the parking lot on the north side of the building.

When the alarm sounds, Kevin grabs his coat from his desk and takes the stairs. He locks his office door behind him. He walks quickly to the nearest exit and meets his coworkers in the parking lot on the north side. Which instruction did Kevin NOT follow correctly?

  1. He locked his office door, but the instructions say to close doors without locking them. (correct answer)
  2. He took his coat, but the instructions say not to take any personal items during an evacuation.
  3. He used the stairs, but the instructions say to use the nearest exit, which could be an elevator.
  4. He walked quickly, but the instructions say to run to the nearest exit as fast as possible.
Explanation: When reading a checklist or set of instructions, your job is to compare what each rule says with what the person actually did — step by step. Look for the one action that contradicts a specific instruction. Let's trace Kevin's steps. He grabbed his coat from his desk — that's allowed, because instruction #3 says you can take personal items if they are "immediately at hand," and a coat on your own desk qualifies. He took the stairs — perfect, that matches instruction #2 exactly. He walked quickly to the nearest exit — instruction #5 says "walk quickly," so he followed that correctly. He met his coworkers in the north parking lot — that matches instruction #6. So far, everything checks out. But then there's the door: Kevin locked his office door, and instruction #4 clearly states to close doors but do NOT lock them. That's the mistake. Answer A is correct. Answer B is a trap. It sounds reasonable to think "no personal items during a fire," but the checklist actually permits taking items that are immediately at hand — it doesn't ban all personal items. Kevin's coat qualifies. Answer C is completely false — the checklist says to use the stairs, never the elevator. Kevin did exactly right. Answer D flips the real instruction backwards — the checklist says walk quickly and not run, so Kevin followed this correctly. Study tip: On questions like this, slow down and match each action to the exact wording of each rule. One word — like "lock" vs. "close" — can be the entire difference between a right and wrong answer.

Question 7

Microwave Popcorn Instructions:

  1. Remove plastic wrapper from the bag.

  2. Place bag in the microwave with the CORRECT SIDE UP label facing up.

  3. Cook on HIGH power for 2 minutes and 30 seconds.

  4. Stop the microwave if popping slows to 2 seconds between pops.

  5. Carefully open the bag away from your face. Steam is very hot.

  6. Do NOT microwave the bag a second time.

David puts the popcorn bag in the microwave upside down and cooks it for 2 minutes and 30 seconds. The popping stopped after 2 minutes. What did David do wrong?

  1. He only made one mistake: he should have opened the bag before placing it in the microwave to release steam.
  2. He placed the bag upside down, but the cooking time was correct because he used the full 2 minutes and 30 seconds.
  3. He cooked the bag too long, but the direction of the bag does not matter as long as HIGH power is used.
  4. He placed the bag upside down AND he cooked it too long after the popping had already slowed down. (correct answer)
Explanation: When reading instructions carefully, your job is to check every step — not just one. This question asks you to find all the mistakes David made, so you need to compare his actions to each rule in the instructions. Looking at the instructions, Step 2 says to place the bag with the CORRECT SIDE UP label facing up — David placed it upside down, so that's one clear mistake. Step 4 says to stop the microwave if popping slows to 2 seconds between pops — the popping stopped completely after 2 minutes, meaning David should have stopped the microwave then, but he let it run the full 2 minutes and 30 seconds. That's a second mistake. Answer D is correct because it correctly identifies both errors. Answer A is wrong for two reasons: opening the bag before microwaving is never mentioned in the instructions, and it only counts one mistake when there were two. Answer B is a trap — it admits the bag was upside down but calls the cooking time "correct" because he used the full 2:30. However, the instructions tell you to stop early if popping slows down, so finishing the full time was actually the wrong choice. Answer C gets the cooking time mistake right but incorrectly claims the bag's direction doesn't matter — the instructions specifically say to place the correct side up. Study tip: On questions like this, watch for answer choices that are partially right. A common trap is an answer that identifies one real mistake but misses another — or says something "doesn't matter" when the instructions clearly address it.

Question 8

Paint Can Label — Safety Instructions:

  1. Use only in a well-ventilated area. Open windows and doors.

  2. Keep away from heat, sparks, and open flames.

  3. Wear gloves and safety glasses while painting.

  4. If paint gets in your eyes, rinse with water for 15 minutes. Then call a doctor.

  5. Close the can tightly after each use.

  6. Keep out of reach of children.

Tom is painting a room. He opens one window but keeps the door closed. He wears gloves but not safety glasses. Some paint splashes into his eye. He rinses his eye for 5 minutes and then calls a doctor. Which instructions did Tom NOT follow correctly?

  1. He only made one mistake: he rinsed his eye for only 5 minutes instead of the required 15 minutes.
  2. He did not ventilate the room well enough and did not rinse his eye long enough, but he wore the correct safety gear.
  3. He did not ventilate the room well enough, did not wear safety glasses, and did not rinse his eye long enough. (correct answer)
  4. He did not ventilate the room well enough and did not wear safety glasses, but he rinsed his eye for the correct amount of time.
Explanation: When a question asks you to identify which instructions were not followed correctly, your job is to compare what the person actually did against every rule on the list, one by one. Don't stop after finding one mistake — check all of them. Looking at Tom's actions against each instruction: Rule 1 says to use a well-ventilated area by opening windows and doors (plural). Tom opened only one window and kept the door closed — that's a violation. Rule 3 requires both gloves and safety glasses. Tom wore gloves but skipped the glasses — another violation. Rule 4 says to rinse eyes for 15 minutes. Tom only rinsed for 5 minutes — a third violation. Rules 2, 5, and 6 aren't mentioned, so we have no reason to mark those as broken. That gives us three clear mistakes, which matches answer C. Answer A is a trap for students who stop checking after they find the eye-rinsing error. It ignores the ventilation and safety glasses problems entirely. Answer B correctly identifies the ventilation and rinsing mistakes, but it claims Tom wore "the correct safety gear" — he didn't, because he skipped the safety glasses. Answer D correctly catches the ventilation and safety glasses problems, but it says he rinsed his eye for the correct amount of time — he did not; 5 minutes is far short of the required 15. A useful strategy: on "which rules were broken" questions, make a quick checklist and go through every rule before choosing your answer. One missed item can lead you to the wrong choice.

Question 9

Medication Label — Cough Syrup:

  • Adults (age 18 and older): Take 2 teaspoons every 6 hours.
  • Children (age 6–17): Take 1 teaspoon every 6 hours.
  • Children under 6: Do NOT use. Ask a doctor.
  • Do not take more than 4 doses in 24 hours.
  • Shake well before using.

Carlos is 35 years old and starts taking this cough syrup at 8:00 a.m. He takes the correct dose. What is the earliest time he can take his THIRD dose, and how many teaspoons should it be?

  1. At 8:00 p.m., he can take 2 teaspoons as his third dose. (correct answer)
  2. At 2:00 p.m., he can take 2 teaspoons as his third dose.
  3. At 8:00 p.m., he can take 1 teaspoon as his third dose.
  4. At 2:00 p.m., he can take 1 teaspoon as his third dose.
Explanation: When reading a medication label, you need to track two things at once: who is taking the medicine (to find the right dose) and when doses can be taken (to follow the timing rules). Carlos is 35 years old, which places him in the "Adults (age 18 and older)" category. His correct dose is 2 teaspoons every 6 hours. Now trace his schedule: Dose 1 at 8:00 a.m., Dose 2 six hours later at 2:00 p.m., and Dose 3 six hours after that at 8:00 p.m. — also 2 teaspoons. That makes A the correct answer. Choice B says 2:00 p.m., which is only 6 hours after 8:00 a.m. — that's when Carlos takes his second dose, not his third. It's easy to lose count here, so always number each dose carefully. Choice C correctly identifies 8:00 p.m. as the right time, but gives 1 teaspoon, which is the children's dose. Carlos is an adult, so this is the wrong amount. Choice D combines both errors — wrong time (2:00 p.m.) and wrong dose (1 teaspoon), confusing both the schedule and the age category. A helpful strategy: when a label question involves timing, write out a quick numbered list of doses and times before answering. It takes 10 seconds and prevents counting errors. Also, always confirm which age group applies before deciding the dose — the label gives different instructions for different people, and mixing them up is a common trap.

Question 10

Gym Membership Sign-Up Rules:

  • Members must be 16 years or older.
  • Bring a valid photo ID and proof of address.
  • Monthly fee: $30 for adults (age 18+), $20 for teens (age 16–17).
  • First month's payment is due at sign-up.
  • Guests must be signed in at the front desk by a member and may visit a maximum of 2 times per month.

James is 17 years old. He signs up for a membership and pays $30 at the front desk. The next week, he brings his friend to the gym. His friend visits two more times that same month without James. What is wrong in this situation?

  1. James paid the correct fee, but his friend visited too many times — guests may only visit once per month.
  2. James paid the wrong fee, and his friend visited without being signed in by a member on his extra visits. (correct answer)
  3. James is too young to be a member, and his friend was not allowed to visit at all without a membership.
  4. James paid the wrong fee, but his friend followed all the rules because guests may visit up to 2 times per month.
Explanation: When a question gives you a list of rules and asks "what is wrong," slow down and check each rule against each person's actions. There are often two problems to find, not just one. Start with James. He is 17, which means he qualifies as a teen member — but the teen fee is $20, not $30. He overpaid, which means the fee he paid was wrong. Now look at his friend. James signed the friend in once, which follows the rule. However, the friend then visited two more times — without James there to sign him in. The rules say guests must be signed in by a member each visit, and guests may visit a maximum of 2 times per month. The friend's extra visits were not signed in by a member, which breaks the sign-in rule. So there are two problems: wrong fee and unsigned guest visits. That makes B the correct answer. A is wrong for two reasons: it says James paid the correct fee (he didn't — $30 is the adult rate), and it incorrectly states guests may only visit once (the limit is twice). C is wrong because James is old enough — the minimum age is 16, and he is 17. The friend also can visit; the problem is how those extra visits happened. D is partially right — yes, James paid the wrong fee — but it incorrectly says the friend followed all the rules. The friend's extra visits were not signed in by a member, which violates the guest policy. When a question has multiple characters, check each person against every rule before choosing your answer.