Is this a grammar test or a vocabulary test?

[M1mohammad]

Hello all,

Is this a grammar test or a vocabulary test?
Source: http://www.english-test.net/esl/learn/english/grammar/ei001/esl-test.php#one

Can you hear what he is ...?
a) saying
b) speaking
c) telling
d) talking

And why is the choice (a) true?

Thanks in advance
Nasr

[Conchita]

You could say it's a grammar-cum-vocabulary test, Nasr.

You need option a) in this particular test question, because the other possible choices would need to be followed by a preposition or an object to make sense.

Examples:

Can you hear what he is speaking about?

Can you hear what he is telling you?

Can you hear what he is talking about?

[M1mohammad]

Hello

Thank you so much

Nasr