Grammar Foundations
What do we call a group of words that expresses a complete thought and can stand alone?
Independent clause
What type of word connects a dependent clause to an independent clause (e.g., “although,” “since,” “when”)?
Subordinating conjunction
What does subject–verb agreement require?
A verb must agree in number with its subject (singular ↔ singular, plural ↔ plural).
True or False: A complete sentence must contain a subject, a verb, and a clear meaning.
True
What does it mean to “embed” a quote?
Embedding a quote = smoothly blending it into your own sentence so it reads naturally.
What two essential elements must every complete sentence include?
A subject and a verb (and it must express a complete thought)
What name is given to the group of coordinating conjunctions often remembered with an acronym?
FANBOYS (coordinating conjunctions)
Which of the following are verb tenses?
A. Past
B. Conditional
C. Passive
D. Future
A. Past
D. Future
Which of the following improves clarity?
A. Specific nouns
B. Precise language
C. Repeating ideas
D. Vague wording
A. Specific nouns
B. Precise language
Which sentence embeds the quote most smoothly?
A. He says. “I can’t do this alone,” which means he’s overwhelmed.
B. He said, “I can’t do this alone,” showing he feels overwhelmed.
C. “I can’t do this alone,” he said this shows stress.
D. “I can’t do this alone.” He said being overwhelmed.
B. He said, “I can’t do this alone,” showing he feels overwhelmed.
What is the term for a sentence that joins two complete thoughts without correct punctuation or a connecting word?
Run-on sentence
Which statement is NOT true about conjunctive adverbs?
A. They can show relationships like cause or contrast
B. They link two independent clauses
C. They never require punctuation
D. They often follow a semicolon
C. They never require punctuation
What is the main difference between active voice and passive voice?
Active voice = subject does the action
Passive voice = subject receives the action
Which version is more precise?
A. The character has some kind of problem.
B. The character struggles to overcome his fear of failing in front of others.
B. The character struggles to overcome his fear of failing in front of others.
Which of the following is NOT a method of embedding a quote?
A. Using a colon
B. Using a lead-in
C. Using dialogue style
D. Dropping it into a sentence without context
D. Dropping it into a sentence without context
Which of the following is a dependent clause?
A. Because the lights went out
B. The cat slept on the couch
C. The phone rang suddenly
D. She finished her homework
A. Because the lights went out
Which of the following describes the purpose of a subordinating conjunction?
A. To join equal ideas
B. To show one idea depends on another
C. To introduce a quote
D. To replace a noun
B. To show one idea depends on another
What is the focus of a sentence when it is written in passive voice?
The focus is on the action and/or the receiver of the action.
Which sentence uses the most specific and concrete language?
A. The man saw a thing in the distance.
B. The hiker spotted a red cabin across the frozen lake.
B. The hiker spotted a red cabin across the frozen lake.
Which option identifies why embedding quotes improves writing?
A. It shortens the sentence
B. It makes the quote blend naturally
C. It removes the need for context
D. It avoids using transition words
B. It makes the quote blend naturally
Which of the following best describes why a dependent clause cannot stand alone?
Because a dependent clause does not express a complete thought and must be attached to an independent clause.
Identify the category for each (FANBOYS, SWABIs, or THAMOs):
however, although, for, meanwhile
however → Conjunctive Adverb
although → Subordinating Conjunction
for → Coordinating Conjunction
meanwhile → Conjunctive Adverb
Which sentence is written in active voice?
A. The ball was thrown by the pitcher.
B. The pitcher threw the ball.
C. The ball had been thrown.
D. The ball is being thrown.
B. The pitcher threw the ball.
Which option best describes why vague writing weakens clarity?
A. It repeats too many words
B. It lacks specific detail
C. It uses too many nouns
D. It sounds too formal
B. It lacks specific detail
Identify the technique used to embed the quote in this sentence:
The narrator admits his fear when he says, “I knew I couldn’t outrun the storm.”
A. Lead-in phrasing
B. Colon
C. Dialogue introduction
D. List format
A. Lead-in phrasing