Random
Conventional Expression
Within-Sentence Punctuation
Syntax
Style and Tone
100
What is the fourth biggest city in the U.S?
What is Houston?
100
Although the black diamond ski run was clearly marked, Simon skied [out of bounds] in order to beat his opponent to the bottom of the mountain. (Choice A) A NO CHANGE  (Choice B) B boundless  (Choice C) C out on bounds  (Choice D) D outside of bounds
What is (Choice A) A NO CHANGE? This choice is the best answer because "out of bounds" is consistent with the conventions of standard written English.
100
Due to his crippling claustrophobia, Franklin failed the clown car routine of his entrance [exam: however] he was still accepted into Clown College. (Choice A) A NO CHANGE (Choice B) B exam; however, (Choice C) C exam, however, (Choice D) D exam, however:
What is (Choice B, Checked, Correct) B exam; however,? This choice is the best answer because it appropriately uses a semi-colon to punctuate the break between the independent clause ("Due to crippling claustrophobia, Franklin failed the clown car routine of his entrance exam" )and the independent clause ("however, he was still accepted into Clown College").
100
Between 1872 and 1900, mongooses were introduced into most of the Caribbean [islands. They were introduced] in order to protect sugar cane fields from pit vipers. Which choice most effectively combines the two sentences at the underlined portion? (Choice A) A islands (Choice B) B islands; they were introduced (Choice C) C islands and the mongooses were introduced (Choice D) D islands; their introduction was
What is (Choice A, Checked, Correct) A islands? This choice is the best answer because it combines the sentences logically and efficiently.
100
The author wants to use understatement as a rhetorical style. Which choice best accomplishes this goal? You took my brand-new car without asking, drove it 800 miles, and scraped the entire front bumper? [Yeah, you could say I’m extremely upset!] (Choice A) A NO CHANGE (Choice B) B This makes me so happy! (Choice C) C Yeah, you could say I'm a little annoyed! (Choice D) D I've never been angrier in my life!
What is (Choice C, Checked, Correct) CYeah, you could say I'm a little annoyed! This choice successfully uses understatement, using the phrase “a little annoyed” to convey a greater degree of anger.
200
What is Houston's biggest suburb by city population?
What is Pasadena?
200
"You can be a real pain [about] the neck," said the man, cleaning up his dog's mess. (Choice A) A NO CHANGE  (Choice B) B of  (Choice C) C by  (Choice D) D in
What is (Choice D) D in? This choice is the best answer because "pain in the neck is consistent with the conventions of standard written English.
200
This year's Shark Week on the Discovery Channel features the rarely-seen sharks of the Cuban coral [reefs;] footage includes in-water and on-water activities with sharks. (Choice A) A NO CHANGE (Choice B) B reefs: (Choice C) C reefs; and (Choice D) D reefs,
What is (Choice A, Checked, Correct) A NO CHANGE? This choice is the best answer because it appropriately uses a semi-colon to punctuate the break between two independent clauses.
200
[Lars Kristofferson is the CEO of Kristoff Markets. He recently] announced his plan to open a small chain of affordable health food stores. Which choice most effectively combines the two sentences at the underlined portion? (Choice A) A Lars Kristofferson is the CEO of Kristoff Markets; Kristofferson recently (Choice B) B As the CEO of Kristoff Markets, Lars Kristofferson made a recent proclamation: he (Choice C) C In a recent announcement, Lars Kristofferson, the CEO of Kristoff Markets, (Choice D) D Lars Kristofferson, CEO of Kristoff Markets, recently
What is (Choice D, Checked, Correct) D Lars Kristofferson, CEO of Kristoff Markets, recently? This choice is the best answer because it combines the sentences logically and efficiently.
200
The author wants to use overstatement in order to emphasize the speaker’s exhaustion. Which choice best accomplishes this goal? I’ve been working on legal briefs all day. I’m so exhausted [I could sleep for hours!] (Choice A) A NO CHANGE (Choice B) B don't think I can sleep right now! (Choice C) C won't be able to sleep for hours! (Choice D) D could sleep for years!
What is (Choice D, Checked, Correct) D could sleep for years! This choice successfully uses the word “years” to overstate and emphasize the speaker’s exhaustion.
300
What is the fourth biggest metropolitan area is Canada?
What is Calgary?
300
A Japanese electronics company has invented a new type of rubber that generates electricity [in stretching.] (Choice A) A NO CHANGE (Choice B) B when stretched.  (Choice C) C over stretching.  (Choice D) D under stretch.
What is (Choice B) B when stretched? This choice is the best answer because "when stretched" is consistent with the conventions of standard written English.
300
Though it made many historical gains in space exploration, NASA's Apollo Project is widely known for one major [accomplishment:] landing the first humans on the moon. (Choice A) A NO CHANGE (Choice B) B accomplishment, (Choice C) C accomplishment; (Choice D) D accomplishment
What is (Choice A, Checked, Correct) A NO CHANGE? This choice is the best answer because it appropriately uses a colon to punctuate the break before an appositive phrase ("landing the first humans on the moon") at the end of the sentence.
300
Archaeologists have discovered that some Vikings deliberately carved grooves into their [teeth. The reasons behind this dental decision remain unclear.] Which choice most effectively combines the two sentences at the underlined portion? (Choice A) A teeth; the reasoning behind the decision to make this adjustment to their teeth is unclear. (Choice B) B teeth; consequently, the reasons behind this dental decision remain unclear. (Choice C) C teeth, but the reasons behind this dental decision remain unclear. (Choice D) D teeth; however, the reasons behind this dental decision remain unclear to archaeologists.
What is (Choice C, Checked, Correct) C teeth, but the reasons behind this dental decision remain unclear? This choice is the best answer because it combines the sentences logically and efficiently.
300
Which choice best expresses enthusiasm consistent with the tone of a formal engagement announcement? Mr. and Mrs. Joel Andersen of Sunnyville [are pleased to announce] the engagement of their daughter, Stephanie, to Guillermo Torres, son of Mr. and Mrs. Carlos Torres of Crater City. Stephanie is a graduate of University of Utah and is a social worker at St. Paul’s Hospital. Guillermo graduated from Beckman College and is employed with Kane Pharmaceuticals. The families are eagerly looking forward to an October wedding. (Choice A) A NO CHANGE (Choice B) B are required to announce (Choice C) C are announcing (Choice D) D are totally stoked to announce
What is (Choice A, Checked, Correct) A NO CHANGE? This choice maintains the enthusiasm and formality of an engagement announcement.
400
What is the secondary city of the Miami metropolitan area?
What is Fort Lauderdale?
400
The environmentalist spoke to the audience about the advantages of lab-grown meat, but her words appeared to go [on] one ear and out the other. (Choice A) A NO CHANGE  (Choice B) B over  (Choice C) C under  (Choice D) D in 
What is (Choice D) D in? This choice is the best answer because "in one ear and out the other" is consistent with the conventions of standard written English.
400
Morocco has had four capitals, collectively called the “Imperial [Cities,” Fes,] Marrakech, Meknes, and Rabat. (Choice A) A NO CHANGE (Choice B) B Cities”; Fes, (Choice C) C Cities”: Fes, (Choice D) D Cities” Fes
What is (Choice C, Checked, Correct) C Cities”: Fes,? This choice is the best answer because it appropriately uses a colon to punctuate the break between "Imperial Cities" and the other locations ("Fes, Marrakech, Meknes, and Rabat").
400
Urban environments and metropolitan areas are making gradual advances on natural wildlife [habitats. These gradual advances have negative consequences:] some animals are perishing from habitat loss. Which choice most effectively combines the sentences at the underlined portion? (Choice A) A habitats, and these gradual advances have negative consequences, because This choice results in a repetitive and awkward construction. (Choice B) B habitats, resulting in negative consequences: (Choice C) C habitats; these advances have negative consequences: (Choice D) D habitats, and with negative consequences, because
What is (Choice B, Checked, Correct) B habitats, resulting in negative consequences:? This choice is the best answer because it combines the sentences logically and efficiently.
400
In order to emphasize the contrast between a sunrise and the author’s attitude, the latter wants to use two adjectives that are derived from the same root word. Which choice best accomplishes this goal? Sunrises are, I admit, generally very majestic. But usually (if I have my way) anything that occurs before 8 a.m. is wasted on me. When the sun begins his [incredible ascent, I prefer to be an inglorious] huddle of sheets, crusted with sleep and willfully blind. (Choice A) A NO CHANGE (Choice B) B glorious ascent, I prefer to be an inglorious (Choice C) C glorious ascent, I prefer to be a ragged (Choice D) D stunning ascent, I prefer to be a pitiful
What is (Choice B, Checked, Correct) B glorious ascent, I prefer to be an inglorious? This choice is the best answer because “glorious” and “inglorious” are from the same root word, which emphasizes the contrast.
500
What is the third biggest city in Australia?
What is Brisbane?
500
Identifying the right ratchet in the messy toolbox was like finding a needle [with] a haystack. (Choice A) A NO CHANGE  (Choice B) B in (Choice C) C as  (Choice D) D through
What is (Choice B) B in? This choice is the best answer because the phrase ("finding a needle in a haystack") is consistent with the conventions of standard written English.
500
Three animals are predicted to be the first genetically modified species approved for human [consumption,] the "double-muscled" pig, fast-growing salmon, and hypoallergenic cows. (Choice A) A NO CHANGE (Choice B) B consumption; (Choice C) C consumption: (Choice D) D consumption, these are
What is (Choice C, Checked, Correct) C consumption:? This choice is the best answer because it appropriately uses a colon to punctuate the break between the dependent clause ("Three animals are predicted to be the first genetically modified species approved for human consumption") and a list.
500
[Fans were very excited to see the final installment of the Royal Battleground trilogy. Hundreds of eager viewers] lined up outside the movie theater days in advance. Which choice most effectively combines the two sentences at the underlined portion? (Choice A) A Fans were very excited to see the final installment of the Royal Battleground trilogy; in fact, these fans were so excited that they (Choice B) B In order to ensure their viewing ability for the final installment of the Royal Battleground trilogy, hundreds of eager viewers (Choice C) C Fans were so excited to see the final installment of the Royal Battleground trilogy that they (Choice D) D Fans of the Royal Battleground trilogy, excited to see the final installment of it, numbered in the hundreds and This choice results in an awkward and repetitive construction.
What is (Choice C, Checked, Correct) C Fans were so excited to see the final installment of the Royal Battleground trilogy that they? This choice is the best answer because it combines the sentences logically and efficiently.
500
The writer wants to use exaggeration in order to emphasize the relative insignificance of a mistake. Which choice best accomplishes this goal? My friend Joseph, we are told, has [committed the oversight] of forgetting to bring his homework to class. This demonstrates a multitude of failings, personal and academic, which will forever bar him from the ranks of human society. (Choice A) A NO CHANGE (Choice B) B committed the grave crime (Choice C) C made the inconvenient error (Choice D) D unfortunately made the mistake
What is (Choice B, Checked, Correct) B committed the grave crime? This choice is the best answer because it uses exaggeration to suggest that Joseph’s “crime” is not as significant as some people seem to think.
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