Grammar

Question 1

For questions 1–8, look for run-on sentences or sentence fragments. Choose the answer choice
that does NOT express a correct, complete sentence. If there are no mistakes, select choice d.

1. a. Manuel wanted to complete all of his courses so he could get his degree.
   b. She couldn’t believe the premise of the story.
   c. The train leaving the station.
   d. no mistakes

Answer 1

c. This is a sentence fragment.

Question 2

2. a. At the end of the day, they hoped to be finished with all tasks.
   b. When will you teach me how to cook like you do?
   c. I can’t wait Janet can’t either.
   d. no mistakes

Answer 2

c. This is a run-on sentence.

Question 3

3. a. The medieval literature class was very interesting.
   b. The children in the park, including all of the girls on the swings.
   c. Christina is an excellent elementary school teacher.
   d. no mistakes

Answer 3

b. This is a sentence fragment.

Question 4

4. a. Sandra Day O’Connor was the first woman to serve on the U.S. Supreme Court.
   b. We visited the presidential library of Lyndon B. Johnson.
   c. I saw Dr. Sultana because Dr. Das was on vacation.
   d. no mistakes

Answer 4

d. There are no mistakes.

Question 5

5. a. What is the best route to Philadelphia?
   b. The artichokes cost more than the asparagus does.
   c. Turn off the television it’s time for dinner!
   d. no mistakes

Answer 5

c. This is a run-on sentence.

Question 6

6. a. Baseball is the national pastime of the United States.
   b. Ernest Hemingway won the Nobel Prize for Literature.
   c. The rest of the story coming to you later.
   d. no mistakes

Answer 6

c. This is a sentence fragment.

Question 7

7. a. The sky was a brilliant blue this morning.
   b. John is an avid stamp collector.
   c. Elvis Presley’s home is in Memphis, Tennessee.
   d. no mistakes

Answer 7

d. There are no mistakes.

Question 8

8. a. If you see a grizzly bear, do not make any sudden movements.
   b. The county executive a person who works very hard.
   c. The national park system in the United States preserves land for all to enjoy.
   d. no mistakes

Answer 8

b. This is a sentence fragment.

Question 9

9. a. Ecstatic the winner hugged her coach.
   b. My best friend, James, is always on time.
   c. As far as I know that room is empty.
   d. Maureen, my cousin is going to Hawaii in August.

Answer 9

b. The commas set off the appositive in the sentence.

Question 10

10. a. Concerned about her health, Jessica made an appointment to see a doctor.
    b. Those sneakers are available in black tan red, and white.
    c. After checking our equipment we began our hiking trip.
    d. Exhausted I climbed into bed.

Answer 10

a. The comma sets off an introductory clause.

Question 11

11. a. Hoping for the best, I called Dan.
    b. We visited England, France Spain, and Italy.
    c. You can have chocolate ice cream or you can have a dish of vanilla pudding.
    d. Timothy however will attend a community college in the fall.

Answer 11

a. The comma sets off an introductory phrase.

Question 12

12. a. Max was the most physically fit and he won the 5K race.
    b. Shortly she will answer all messages.
    c. My physician, Dr. O’Connor, told me I was very healthy.
    d. Bonnie was outgoing friendly and sociable.

Answer 12

c. The comma sets off the appositive in the sentence.

Question 13

13. a. After his vacation to the Caribbean Art decided to learn scuba diving.
    b. I like jazz, classical, and blues music.
    c. My good friend, Melanie sent me a picture of her new puppy.
    d. The abundant, blue, violets were scattered everywhere in the woodland garden

Answer 13

b. The commas separate items in a series.

Question 14

For questions 14–19, choose the sentence or phrase that has a mistake in capitalization or punctuation. If you find no mistakes, select choice d.

14. a. My favorite season is Spring.
    b. Last Monday, Aunt Ruth took me shopping.
    c. We elected Ben as treasurer of the freshman class.
    d. no mistakes

Answer 14

a. Spring is not a proper noun, so it should not be capitalized.

Question 15

15. a. He shouted from the window, but we couldn’t hear him.
    b. NASA was launching its first space shuttle of the year.
    c. The boys’ wore identical sweaters.
    d. no mistakes

Answer 15

c. The word boys’ should not show possession; no apostrophe is needed.

Question 16

16. a. Occasionally someone will stop and ask for directions.
    b. When you come to the end of Newton Road, turn left onto Wilson Street.
    c. Lauren’s father is an auto mechanic.
    d. no mistakes

Answer 16

a. A comma is needed to set off the introductory word, occasionally.

Question 17

17. a. That book must be yours.
    b. This is someone elses coat.
    c. Don B. Norman was one of the founders of the community.
    d. no mistakes

Answer 17

b. An apostrophe is needed before the last s in the word elses to show possession.

Question 18

18. a. The US flag should be flown proudly.
    b. She served eggs, toast, and orange juice for breakfast.
    c. He wanted turkey, lettuce, and mayonnaise on his sandwich.
    d. no mistakes

Answer 18

a. There should be periods after the abbreviation U.S.

Question 19

19. a. Dear Anne,
    b. Sincerely, yours
    c. Yours truly,
    d. no mistakes

Answer 19

b. The comma should be placed after the word yours.

Question 20

For questions 20–25, choose the correct verb form.
20. I am trying to become more skilled at weaving before winter ________
a. arrived.
b. will have arrived.
c. will arrive.
d. arrives.

Answer 20

d. This sentence is in the present tense.