Name:
USATest Prep Language Quiz
1.
Excerpt from: Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address
Abraham Lincoln
It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us ... that from
these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last
full measure of devotion ... that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have
died in vain ... that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom ... and that
government of the people ... by the people ... for the people ... shall not perish from this
earth.
The rhetorical strategy that Lincoln used when he wrote the phrase "of the people ... by the
people ... for the people ... shall not perish from this earth" is known as
A) simile.
B) metaphor.
C) parallel structure.
D) subject-verb agreement.
2. In which sentence is the italicized word used correctly?
A)
B)
C)
D)
The principle welcomed the students back from vacation.
We visited the Capitol building during our visit to Washington.
The students were instructed to use capitol letters on the form.
My friend said that we should not participate, as it is a matter of principal.
3. Determine which of the underlined words is used correctly in the sentence.
A)
B)
C)
D)
I did good on that test.
I wanted to visit the capital building in Washington, D.C.
The principal at my old elementary school retired last year.
Even though my favorite basketball team should have won, it looked like they were
going to loose the game.
4. Which sentence is the best example of parallel structure?
A)
B)
C)
D)
The
The
The
The
little
little
little
little
boy had on torn pants, dirty shirt, muddy shoes.
boy had on torn pants, a dirty shirt, and muddy shoes.
boys had on pants that were torn, a dirty shirt, and muddy shoes.
boy had on torn pants, a shirt that was dirty, and shoes that were muddy.
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5.
Courtney enjoys many types of dance, ________________ jazz and ballet.
Which
A)
B)
C)
D)
word is correctly spelled and will BEST complete this sentence?
especially
especialy
expecially
specially
6.
Excerpt from: This Message Was Brought To You by Me
Marie Devers
All along my childhood, it’s been exceedingly bad— 3 from my diapers to my schoolbooks,
there’s always been an ad. 4 Doesn’t matter what it is, if I’m their demographic, 7 they
add MARSHMALLOWS! ‘til I think that I just have to have it. 8 but happiness cannot be
found in catalogs or stores, 17 and the pleasure that they’re marketing may already be
yours. 18
The words there, their, and they're sound the same but have different meanings. They are
called
A) antonyms.
B) homophones.
C) onomatopoeia.
D) similes.
7. Choose the sentence that shows correct semicolon usage.
A)
B)
C)
D)
I like; swimming, hiking, and camping.
Swimming is my favorite form of exercise; it gives me energy.
I am going swimming; and then I will lie in the sun and relax.
Today I plan to go swimming; which is one of my favorite activities.
8. Which sentence demonstrates correct use of the semicolon?
A)
B)
C)
D)
We were entirely exhausted from the flight nevertheless; we wanted to see the
Statue of Liberty before nightfall.
We were entirely exhausted from the flight; nevertheless, we wanted to see the
Statue of Liberty before nightfall.
We were entirely exhausted; from the flight nevertheless, we wanted to see the
Statue of Liberty before nightfall.
We were entirely exhausted from the flight nevertheless, we wanted; to see the
Name:
Statue of Liberty before nightfall.
9.
Excerpt from: The Care and Keeping of Big Cats Part C
Kate McConnaughey
The best way is a combination of several things: physical interaction with others of its
own kind or specially-trained human companions, desirable features in the enclosure such
as swimming pools and ledges for perching and sleeping, and toys to play with.
The use of a colon in this sentence is correct because
A) colons can be used in place of a period.
B) colons and semi-colons are interchangeable.
C) colons separate two independent clauses into sections in the sentence.
D) colons should be used after independent clauses that come before lists.
10.
Harvey finished typing his research paper, but he needed to proofread it before
submitting it to the professor.
Choose the answer that is the most effective substitute for the underlined part of the
sentence. If no substitute is necessary, choose ‘Leave as is.’
A) Leave as is.
B) research paper but he needed
C) research paper; but he needed
D) research paper. But he needed