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1.
Which version of the sentence is correctly capitalized?
a. Last Thursday, my Mother, my Aunt Sarah, and I went to the museum to see an exhibit
of African art.
b. Last Thursday, my mother, my Aunt Sarah, and I went to the museum to see an exhibit
of African art.
c. Last Thursday, my mother, my aunt Sarah, and I went to the Museum to see an exhibit
of African art.
d. Last thursday, my mother, my aunt Sarah, and I went to the Museum to see an exhibit
of African art.
2. Which of the underlined words in the following sentence should be capitalized?
The governor gave a speech at the fourth of July picnic, which was held at my cousin’s farm five
miles east of town.
a. Governor
b. Fourth
c. Cousin’s
d. East
3. Which of the underlined words in the following sentence should be capitalized?
“Last semester, I wrote my history report on the Korean war,” my sister told me.
4.
5.
6.
7.
a. Semester
b. History
c. War
d. Sister
Which version uses periods correctly?
a. Dr Harrison will speak at a hotel in Chicago, Ill, on Thurs at 3:00 P.M.
b. Dr. Harrison will speak at a hotel in Chicago, Ill, on Thurs at 3:00 PM.
c. Dr Harrison will speak at a hotel in Chicago, Ill, on Thurs. at 3:00 P.M.
d. Dr. Harrison will speak at a hotel in Chicago, Ill., on Thurs. at 3:00 P.M.
Which version uses punctuation correctly?
a. Watch out. The road is icy?
b. Watch out! The road is icy.
c. Watch out? The road is icy!
d. Watch out, the road is icy?
Which one is a sentence fragment, that is, NOT a complete a sentence?
a. Hearing the thunder, the lifeguard ordered us out of the water.
b. Turn off the lights.
c. Sunday afternoon spent reading and playing computer games.
d. I was surprised to see that my neighbor had written a letter to the editor.
Three of the following sentences are faulty. They are either run-ons or comma splices. Which
one is NOT a faulty sentence?
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8.
9.
10.
11.
a. The newspapers are supposed to be delivered by 7:00, but I am usually finished before
6:45.
b. I called the delivery service this morning, they told me the shipment would arrive on
time.
c. Look in the closet you should find it there.
d. I was the first to sign the petition Harry was the second.
Which version is punctuated correctly?
a. Charlotte, who ran in the Boston Marathon last year will compete in this year’s New
York Marathon.
b. Charlotte, who ran in the Boston Marathon, last year, will compete in this year’s New
York Marathon.
c. Charlotte who ran in the Boston Marathon last year, will compete in this year’s New
York Marathon.
d. Charlotte, who ran in the Boston Marathon last year, will compete in this year’s New
York Marathon.
Which version is punctuated correctly?
a. The park service will not allow anyone, who does not have a camping permit, to use this
campground.
b. The park service will not allow anyone who does not have a camping permit, to use this
campground.
c. The park service will not allow anyone, who does not have a camping permit to use this
campground.
d. The park service will not allow anyone who does not have a camping permit, to use this
campground.
Which version is punctuated correctly?
a. As soon as he finished his homework, Rod, who is a member of the baseball team, went
to batting practice.
b. As soon as he finished his homework Rod, who is a member of the baseball team went
to batting practice.
c. As soon as he finished, his homework, Rod, who is a member of the baseball team, went
to batting practice.
d. As soon as he finished his homework, Rod who is a member of the baseball team went
to batting practice.
Which of the underlined portions of the sentence below is punctuated INCORRECTLY?
My mother was born on (a) December 15, 1944, in Kingwood, West (b) Virginia, when she was
(c) five, her family moved to (d) 347 Benton Street, Zanesville, Ohio.
12. Which version is punctuated correctly?
a. Yes I would like to see a copy of the report and please send it today by priority mail.
b. Yes, I would like to see a copy of the report and please send it, today by priority mail.
c. Yes, I would like to see a copy of the report and, please send it today by priority mail.
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d. Yes, I would like to see a copy of the report, and please send it today by priority mail.
13. Which version is punctuated correctly?
a. I’m sorry, Bart, that you cannot meet us for dinner tonight. We’ll phone you again next
Friday.
b. I’m sorry, Bart that you cannot meet us for dinner tonight. We’ll phone you again next
Friday.
c. I’m sorry Bart that you cannot meet us for dinner tonight. We’ll phone you again next
Friday.
d. I’m sorry, Bart, that you cannot meet us for dinner tonight, we’ll phone you again next
Friday.
14. Which is the correct punctuation for the underlined portion?
The weather forecasters are predicting ten inches of snow tonight therefore the annual chili
supper will be rescheduled for next week.
a. tonight, therefore
b. tonight, therefore,
c. tonight; therefore,
d. tonight, therefore;
15. Which is the correct punctuation for the underlined portion?
You may choose to read any two of the following novels The Great Gatsby, Song of Solomon,
Sophie’s Choice, The Color Purple, The Bell Jar, and The Invisible Man.
a. novels, The
b. novels: The
c. novels; the
d. novels. The
16. Which version is punctuated correctly?
a. One of my concerns—if you really want to know is that the city council will vote against
the new plan.
b. One of my concerns—if you really want to know—is that the city council will vote
against the new plan.
c. One of my concerns, if you really want to know—is that the city council will vote against
the new plan.
d. One of my concerns if you really want to know is that the city council will vote against
the new plan.
17. Which version is punctuated correctly?
a. You will find boys’ shirts in the childrens’ department.
b. You will find boy’s shirts in the children’s department.
c. You will find boys’ shirts in the children’s department.
d. You will find boy’s shirts in the childrens’ department.
18. Which version is punctuated correctly?
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19.
20.
21.
22.
23.
a. Whose coat is this? Is it yours or Eric’s?
b. Whose coat is this? Is it your’s or Eric’s?
c. Who’s coat is this? Is it your’s or Eric’s?
d. Who’s coat is this? Is it yours or Eric’s?
Which version is punctuated correctly?
a. “May I ride with you?” asked Del. “I can’t get my car started.”
b. May I ride with you? asked Del. “I can’t get my car started.”
c. “May I ride with you? asked Del. I can’t get my car started.”
d. “May I ride with you”? asked Del. “I can’t get my car started.”
Which of the following should be placed in quotation marks and should NOT be italicized or
underlined?
a. The name of a ship
b. The title of a poem
c. The title of a novel
d. The name of a newspaper
Which version uses hyphens correctly?
a. The well-known singer-songwriter gave a three hour concert.
b. The well known singer songwriter gave a three-hour concert.
c. The well-known singer-songwriter gave a three-hour concert.
d. The well known singer-songwriter gave a three hour concert.
Which of the following should NOT be hyphenated?
a. Twenty-one students
b. Two-inch nails
c. A thirty-minute interview
d. Ten-feet of rope
Which version uses parentheses correctly?
a. I plan to do my geography report on the Central American country of Belize (formerly
known as British Honduras).
b. I plan to do my geography report on the (Central American country of) Belize, formerly
known as British Honduras.
c. I plan to do my (geography) report on the Central American country of Belize, formerly
known as British Honduras.
d. I plan to do my geography report on the Central American country (of Belize) formerly
known as British Honduras.
For questions 24 and 25, choose the correct verb form.
24. Last night, Rita __________ a standing ovation for her performance.
a. has gotten
b. gotten
c. will get
d. got
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25. Bart __________ cupcakes so we could all celebrate his birthday.
a. brang
b. brought
c. bring
d. had brung
26. Which of the following underlined verbs is NOT written in the correct tense?
Last we, we (a) went camping in Zion National Park. We (b) hike several hours each day. At
night, I (c) climbed into my sleeping bag exhausted, but in the morning I (d) couldn’t wait to get
started again.
27. Choose the version that correctly rewrites the following sentence in the active voice.
I was taken to the public library by my sister before I was able to read.
a. Before I was able to read, I was taken to the public library by my sister.
b. Before learning to read, my sister took me to the public library.
c. Before I was able to read, my sister took me to the public library.
d. I was taken to the public library before I knew how to read, by my sister.
28. Which of the following sentences is in the passive voice?
a. On Saturday nights, we made popcorn.
b. Our bowls were filled and brought into the living room.
c. We sat on the floor and watched the movie we had rented.
d. One of us usually fell asleep before the movie was over.
For questions 29 and 30, choose the verb that agrees with the subject of the sentence.
29. Neither of the dogs __________ to obedience training.
a. have been
b. were
c. is been
d. has been
30. The art professor, along with several of her students, __________ to attend the gallery opening
tomorrow evening.
a. is planning
b. are planning
c. plan
d. have planned
31. Choose the subject that agrees with the verb in the following sentence.
__________ of the customers have complained about poor service.
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a. One
b. Neither
c. Each
d. Some
32. In which of the following sentences is the underlined verb NOT in agreement with the subject of
the sentence?
a. Where are the forms you want me to fill out?
b. Which is the correct form?
c. Here is the forms you need to complete.
d. There are two people who still need to complete the form.
33. In which of the following sentences is the underlined pronoun INCORRECT?
a. Alicia and me want to spend Saturday at Six Flags Amusement Park.
b. Either Sam or William will bring his CD player to the party.
c. She and I will work together on the project.
d. Why won’t you let her come with us?
34. In which of the following sentences is the underlined pronoun INCORRECT?
a. Francine can run much faster than me.
b. Erin and Bob are painting the house themselves.
c. Five members of the team and I will represent our school.
d. Our neighbors gave us some tomatoes from their garden.
For questions 35-38, choose the option that correctly completes the sentence.
35. Four band member and __________ were chosen to attend the state competition. One of
__________ will do the driving.
a. me, we
b. me, us
c. I, we
d. I, us
36. Marcus __________ the bags of groceries on the kitchen table fifteen minutes ago.
a. had sat
b. set
c. sit
d. sat
37. About five minutes after the sun _________, my alarm goes off, and __________ time to get up.
a. raises, it’s
b. raises, its
c. rises, it’s
d. rises, its
38. Paula did __________ on the test, but Georgia had the __________ score in the class.
a. good, better
b. good, best
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c. well, better
d. well, best
39. Which of the sentences is clearly and correctly written?
a. Driving along the country road, a deer ran in front of us.
b. A deer ran in front of us while driving along the country road.
c. As we were driving along the country road, a deer ran in front of us.
d. Running in front of us, we saw the deer, driving along the country road.
For questions 40-46, choose the option that correctly completes the sentence.
40. If we divide this pizza __________ the five people here, there won’t be __________ pieces left
over.
a. among, any
b. among, no
c. between, any
d. between, no
41. Yesterday, I __________ the campers to the __________ we had chosen near the river.
a. lead, cite
b. lead, site
c. led, cite
d. led, site
42. As we have done in the __________, we will __________ at the coffee house at 10:00 A.M.
a. past, meet
b. past, meat
c. passed, meet
d. passed, meat
43. As you can __________ see, there has been a __________ in the water pipe.
a. planely, brake
b. planely, break
c. plainly, brake
d. plainly, break
44. Do you know __________ Teresa will __________ to join our organization?
a. weather, choose
b. weather, chose
c. whether, choose
d. whether, chose
45. __________ are the magazines that __________ to be stacked on this table?
a. Wear, used
b. Wear, use
c. Where, used
d. Where, use
46. Do you __________ if the Giants __________ the game?
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47.
48.
49.
50.
a. know, one
b. know, won
c. no, one
d. no, won
Which of the following phrases contains a redundancy; that is, it repeats words that express the
same idea?
a. I did not hear the phone ring.
b. You always perform your job efficiently.
c. The umpire has temporarily suspended the game until later.
d. Jenna and Erin have both contributed greatly to our team’s success.
Which of the following sentences contains a cliché?
a. The room was so quiet you could hear a pin drop.
b. Your plan is not in accordance with the regulations set down by the review board.
c. The stars were pinpricks in the tarpaper sky.
d. Due to the fact that it snowed, the trip was canceled.
Which version has a consistent point of view?
a. The history of English is divided into three periods. You could mark the earliest one at
about the fifth century A.D.
b. You can say that the history of English could be divided into three periods, and I know
the earliest one begins about the fifth century A.D.
c. The history of English is divided into three periods. The earliest one begins at about the
fifth century A.D.
d. I learned that the history of English is divided into three periods and that you can begin
the earliest one at about the fifth century A.D.
Which version has a parallel structure?
a. We write for a variety of purposes: in expressing our feelings, to convey information, to
persuade, or to give pleasure.
b. We write for a variety of purposes: to express our feelings, convey information,
persuasion, or giving pleasure.
c. We write for a variety of purposes: an expression of our feelings, conveying
information, persuade, or to give pleasure.
d. We write for a variety of purposes: to express our feelings, to convey information, to
persuade, or to give pleasure.
For numbers 51-60, choose the correct verb form.
51. Either of the photocopies __________ acceptable.
a. is
b. are
52. The group of students, teachers, and parents __________ staying overnight.
a. is
b. are
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53. Didn’t you know it is you who __________ to be given the award?
a. is
b. are
54. Our company’s complete line of products __________ available through our new catalog.
a. is
b. are
55. Everyone except Jim and two others __________ waiting at the restaurant.
a. is
b. are
56. A number of surprises __________ taking place this evening.
a. is
b. are
57. Participating in the pageant __________ Joan and Paul.
a. was
b. were
58. There __________ two reasons to believe he is telling the truth.
a. is
b. are
59. Neither Fred nor his children __________ going along on the trip.
a. was
b. were
60. This shirt is the only one of all these clothes that __________ made in the U.S.
a. is
b. are
For numbers 61-80, mark 1 if the item contains complete sentences only; mark 2 if the item contains a
fragment; mark 3 if the item contains a run-on or comma splice.
61.
62.
63.
64.
65.
66.
67.
68.
69.
70.
71.
72.
73.
74.
The sun shone brightly. In the late afternoon.
During the eclipse. Amber was watching the moon disappear.
To the end of time. James said he would love Amber.
Her son is in Evansville, he comes home every week.
I hate writing nevertheless I have to take Comp I.
Jimmy and Carl skiing this weekend.
Ed and Mary will be landing at O’Hare in a few minutes.
These exercises making a difference.
Non-credit courses can be valuable.
Rita quit her job, it was making her sick.
Rain is predicted for today that means we can’t mow.
How do you do?
The girl making the best of things. Found a new job.
Having washed my hair. I went to bed.
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75.
76.
77.
78.
79.
80.
The kitten meowing frantically for its mother.
Eric likes to go to Evansville, shopping at the mall is his hobby.
The television show was so boring Brandon turned off the TV and went to the library instead.
As the car slowly stopped.
When Andrea got the e-mail from her boyfriend.
Speaking in public requires courage.
For numbers 81-100, choose the correct form of the pronoun.
81. Every passenger must go through a security check before __________ board(s) the plane.
a. he or she
b. they
82. The restaurant staff was praised for __________ dedication and hard work.
a. its
b. their
83. Each dog and cat was classified according to __________ breed.
a. its
b. their
84. __________ kind of television program glamorizes violence.
a. That
b. Those
85. We drove for hours and __________ got scared by the heavy snow.
a. we
b. you
86. I always liked to go to artifact exhibits, so I decided to collect __________.
a. them
b. artifacts
87. If a person wants to complain, __________ should check the facts first.
a. you
b. he or she
88. __________ kind of puzzle drives me crazy.
a. That
b. Those
89. Both Mark and Rich have completed __________ homework.
a. his
b. their
90. Neither of the twin girls looked like __________ father.
a. their
b. her
91. The gold medalist and winning skater was greeted warmly by __________ parents.
a. her
b. their
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92. Each major work of art and its history __________ discussed in class.
a. was
b. were
93. Some acid rain in New York cities has been traced to __________ source in the Midwest.
a. its
b. their
94. Every player on the girls softball team must furnish __________ own uniform.
a. his
b. her
c. their
95. Some staff members complained about __________ salaries.
a. his
b. her
c. their
96. At a recent meeting of abused wives, each woman told __________ story.
a. her
b. their
97. Everyone took __________ lunch to work that day.
a. his or her
b. their
98. Neither of the women had __________ driver’s license in the car.
a. his
b. her
c. their
99. Every one of the delegates was wearing __________ name tag.
a. his or her
b. their
100.
Neither one of the men wanted to have __________ remarks quoted.
a. his
b. her
c. their