English HSA Review

Parts of Speech/Classification of Words

100

A three-legged pit bull that played in a game of doggie baseball has won "Best in Show" at a local talent competition.

Which word is NOT used as a modifier?

A. three-legged
B. pit bull
C. doggie
D. local

What is B, pit bull

200

Last night at 3:00 a.m., Tom got out of bed, walked outside, turned on the hose, and used it to soak the two tomcats whining and hissing under his bedroom window.

What does the pronoun "it" refer to?

A. Tom
B. bed
C. outside
D. hose

What is D, hose

300

According to authorities, the man assaulted his neighbor with a jar of pickles.

What/Who is the subject of the sentence?

A. authorities
B. man
C. neighbor
D. jar

What is B, man

400

Big Boy, which is a trained killer whale at Ocean World, tried to swallow a New Jersey toddler who wanted to pet its nose.

What is the subject of the verb "swallow"?

A. Big Boy
B. whale
C. toddler
D. nose

What is A, Big Boy

500

Although I was whispering as softly as I could, the woman reading the book yelled at me.

To whom or what does the phrase "reading the book" refer?

A. I
B. whispering
C. woman
D. yelled

What is C, woman

Parts of Speech

100

Identify the adjective along with the word it modifies.

Years ago, American television featured shows in which people sang along with a chorus.

What is American-television and a-chorus.

200

In the sentnces below, which word is used as a adverb?

She is a good dancer. She dances really well.

a. she
b. really
c. dancer
d.really

What is B, really.

300

The man with the chain saw was cutting this beautiful wood, not into lumber but into fireplace logs.

Which word is used as a modifier and NOT as a noun?

a. saw
b. wood
c. lumber
d. fireplace

What is D, fireplace .

400

Another variety, the riverine pond, forms in places where old stream beds are stopped up.

ALL of the following words are used as nouns in the sentence EXCEPT:

a. variety
b. stream
c. places
d. pond

What is B, stream.

500

A subject and verb should agree in number (singular or plural) even when other words come between them.


Which sentence should Saeed edit using this rule?


A. The Bay, perhaps Maryland’s greatest natural resource, is also home to some of the state’s most amazing aquatic life.

B. Decades of pollution and neglect, however, have led to the endangerment of these plants and animals.

C. Other toxic materials like fertilizer and used automobile oil harms the underwater grasses in the Bay.

D. Many opportunities to help save the animals that are being harmed by pollution exist.

What is C, materials-harms

Complete Sentences

100

Which of these is not a complete sentence and should be revised?


A. Maria wasn't watching her plate of barbecue very carefully.

B. So Santana, the family beagle, snatched a chicken leg hanging over the edge.

C. As baked beans and potato salad slid onto Maria's new sandals.

What is C, As baked beans and potato salad slid onto Maria's new sandals.

200

Which of these is not a complete sentence and should be revised?


A. Ever since Andre peeked at Melissa's paper during the biology exam.

B. Guilt has consumed him.

C. Even the blueberries floating in his cereal bowl seem like the accusing eyes of Dr. Gregory, his biology instructor.

What is A, Ever since Andre peeked at Melissa's paper during the biology exam.

300

Which of these should be revised to correct an incomplete sentence?


A. James opened the door of his cluttered refrigerator.

B. Which caused a pint of blueberries to fall to the floor.

C. The fruit bounced and rolled everywhere in an explosion of indigo.

What is B, Which caused a pint of blueberries to fall to the floor.

400

Which of these is a run-on sentence that should be revised?


A. Richie loves to walk his friends' dogs at the Park.

B. Beautiful women, Richie has learned, gravitate toward guys with cute dogs.

C. Small dogs are good toy dogs are best.

What is C, Small dogs are good toy dogs are best.

500

Chet decided to get a huge Chinese dragon tattooed across his shoulder BLADES CHET quickly changed his mind when the piercing needle hit his skin.



What is the correct way to edit the CAPS part of the sentence?

A. blades, Chet
B. blades: Chet
C. blades; Chet
D. Best as is

What is C, blades; Chet?

Research

100

George decided to write about the birds he can see in his neighborhood. Which of these resources would most likely provide information to help him with his topic?


A The American Wildlife Encyclopedia

B Biology: Understanding Nature in Maryland

C Scientific Research: American Migratory Birds

D The North American Birdwatcher’s Guide Book

What is D, The North American Birdwatcher’s Guide Book

200

Daniel wanted to learn about trees in the Baltimore area. Following which of these Internet links would most likely help Daniel locate the information he needs?


A. Tree Conservation Threats to certain species of trees

B. Trees of Time and Place Ways to encourage everyone to collect and plant tree seedlings

C. Tree Varieties and Distribution Information about trees, organized by region, species, and subspecies

D. Trees in the Garden Best bets and useful advice on planting, pruning, and general care of most trees

What is C, Tree Varieties and Distribution Information about trees, organized by region, species, and subspecies

300

Sandra would like to compare Smithville Beach to other beaches along the Atlantic Coast. Which of these would be the best source containing descriptive information about vacations on Atlantic beaches?



A. A Road Atlas of the Atlantic Seashore

B. A Visitor's Guide to the Atlantic Seashore

C. A Collector's Guide to Atlantic Sea Shells

D. An Almanac for the Atlantic Coast States

What is B, A Visitor's Guide to the Atlantic Seashore

400

For her social studies class, Bettina wrote a short report about women who have won the Nobel Peace Prize. Read the introductory paragraph of Bettina's report, “Women Nobel Prize Winners.”



Which of these would most likely include biographical sketches of women who have won the Nobel Peace Prize?


A. the Internet website for the Nobel Peace Prize

B. a list of Nobel Peace Prize winners in an almanac

C. letters between Alfred Nobel and Bertha von Suttner

D. a biography of Alfred Nobel describing his plans for a peace prize

What is A, the Internet website for the Nobel Peace Prize

500

Jamal chose to learn more about developing black-and-white photographs. Which of these websites would most likely provide Jamal with useful information?


A. Welcome to Sight Photography In-depth look at the work of some excellent art, editorial, and commercial photographers.

B. PhotoLinks Directory of Photography Links Photography directory with tips and techniques, featured sites, bookstore, and more!

C. Masters of Photography Feel free to browse through the list of photographers on the left, and be sure to read the articles and check out the resources.

D. Center for Creative Photography Homepage Welcome to the Center for Creative Photography at the University of Arizona, a museum and research center devoted to photography as an art form

What is B, PhotoLinks Directory of Photography Links Photography directory with tips and techniques, featured sites, bookstore, and more!

Revise/Edit

100

Read the following sentence. Then choose the clearest and most effective revision of the sentence.


I was excited when I saw myself on the six o'clock news, and I called all my friends, and they turned on their televisions.

A. Excited, I called my friends, and when I saw myself on the six o'clock news, they turned on their televisions.

B. Excited, I saw myself on the six o'clock news, and I called my friends, and they turned on their televisions.

C. Excited, I called my friends to tell them to turn on their televisions when I saw myself on the six o'clock news.

D. Excited, I saw myself, and I called my friends to tell them to turn on their televisions when I was on the six o'clock news.

What is C, Excited, I called my friends to tell them to turn on their televisions when I saw myself on the six o'clock news.

200

Read the sentence below. Then choose the most clear and effective revision of the sentence.

Mark Twain's writing style is sophisticated and his humor is timeless, and readers find his books appealing.

A. Readers find Mark Twain's style sophisticated, and his humor is timeless, so his books appeal to them.

B. Readers whose style is sophisticated and whose humor is timeless find Mark Twain's books appealing.

C. Readers find Mark Twain's books appealing because his writing style is sophisticated and his humor is timeless.

D. Readers who find his books appealing think Mark Twain's writing is sophisticated, and they also think his humor is timeless.

What is C, Readers find Mark Twain's books appealing because his writing style is sophisticated and his humor is timeless.

300

Read the sentence below. Then choose the most clear and effective revision of the sentence.


To go to the movies and also to have pizza with my friends are both things I always look forward to.

A. I always look forward to going to the movies and to having pizza with my friends.

B. I always look forward to going to the movies and to have pizza with my friends.

C. I always look forward to my friends and I going to the movies and to have pizza.

D. I always look forward to going to the movies with my friends and also having pizza.

What is A, I always look forward to going to the movies and to having pizza with my friends.

400

Read the sentence below. Then choose the most clear and effective revision of the sentence.


The Mane High School Lions have won only two games, and they have their fans’ support, and opponents respect them.

A. Although the Mane High School Lions have won only two games, they have their fans’ support and their opponents’ respect.

B. Because they are respected by opponents and supported by fans, the Mane High School Lions, they have won only two games.

C. Although they have fans supporting them and they have opponents respecting them, the Mane High School Lions, have won only two games.

D. Because the Mane High School Lions have won only two games, their fans support them, as well as the respect of opponents.

What is A, Although the Mane High School Lions have won only two games, they have their fans’ support and their opponents’ respect.

500

Read the sentence below. Then choose the most clear and effective revision of the sentence.


A few inches of snow fell, canceling the game because the principal thought the roads were dangerous.

A. The principal thought the roads were dangerous, so after a few inches of snow fell she canceled the game.

B. The principal thought the roads were dangerous because a few inches of snow fell, and the game was canceled.

C. The principal canceled the game because she thought the roads were dangerous after a few inches of snow fell.

D. The principal canceled the game because she thought a few inches of snow fell on the roads and made them dangerous.

What is C, The principal canceled the game because she thought the roads were dangerous after a few inches of snow fell.