Idioms
Because he laughed when his friend fell down, Justin was accused of being ___________ sympathy
A. devoid at
B. devoid of
C. devoid on
B. devoid of
* For prepositional idioms, you must know which prepositions to use with a given word based on the context of the sentence. For example, you should say that you're "interested in" something, not "interested at" something. You "focus on" something, not "focus at" something. There is no rule to determine the correct preposition to use. You must be familiar with the phrase or rely on what you think "sounds right."
The expression "devoid of" means without.
The transportation planner’s job, might involve conducting a traffic count to determine the daily number of vehicles traveling on the road to the new factory.
A) NO CHANGE
B) planner’s job
C) planners job
D) planners job
B.
Choice B is the best answer because it correctly uses an apostrophe to indicate possession and does not introduce any unnecessary punctuation.
Coffee, a beverage that many entrepreneurs depend on, it is not only stimulating and delicious, but also comforting.
A. [NO CHANGE]
B. stimulating, delicious, and comforting.
C. is not only stimulating and delicious, but also comforting.
D. because it is not only stimulating and delicious, but also
C.
Choice C is the best answer, because it removes the subject pronoun "it" from the Independent Clause at the end of the sentence. Now the subject "Coffee" can pair with the main verb "is" for a single Independent Clause.
If_2 a − 1 = _4 y , and y ≠ 0 where a ≠ 1, what is y in terms of a?
A) y = 2a − 2
B) y = 2a − 4
C) y = 2a − _ 2 1
D) y = _ 2 a + 1
Choice A is correct. Multiplying both sides of the equation by the denominators of the rational expressions in the equation gives 2y = 4a − 4. You should then divide both sides by 2 to isolate the y variable, yielding the equation y = 2a − 2.
In the complex number system, which of the following is equal to (14 − 2i)(7 + 12i)? (Note: _ i = √−1)
A) 74
B) 122
C) 74 + 154i
D) 122 + 154i
Choice D is correct.
Applying the distributive property to multiply the binomials yields the expression 98 + 168i − 14i − 24i 2 . The note in the question reminds you that i = √ _ −1 ; therefore, i 2 = −1. Substituting this value into the expression gives you 98 + 168i − 14i − (−24), and combining like terms results in 122 + 154i.
I struggle ___________ geometry
A. to do
B. doing
C. Both are correct
C. Both are correct
Idioms with Gerunds or Infinitives
Gerunds are verbs that are used as nouns and end in "ing." Examples of gerunds include running, jumping, and thinking. Infinitives are verbs used as nouns and are constructed by using the word "to" plus a verb. Examples of infinitives include to run, to jump, and to think.
Brett an avid scientist conducted some research over the summer.
A. NO CHANGE
B. Brett, an avid scientist, conducted some research over the summer.
C.Brett, an avid scientist conducted some research over the summer.
B.
Appositives are clauses that follow a noun or noun phrase in order to further clarify or add information about them – think of them as little add-on helpers or supporters in sentences. The helpers add to the sentence but don’t necessarily need to be a part of it. That is, the sentence doesn’t lose its structure or meaning in their absence.
The people of Qalif frequently follow their family trade, they work mainly in fishing, oil, and education.
A. [NO CHANGE]
B. trade:
C. trade working
D. trade, working
D.
D – As it stands, this sentence is a Comma Splice error, because it connects two Independent Clauses ("people follow" and "they work") with only a comma.
The graph of y = (2x − 4)(x − 4) is a parabola in the xy-plane. In which of the following equivalent equations do the x- and y-coordinates of the vertex of the parabola appear as constants or coefficients?
A) y = 2x 2 − 12x + 16
B) y = 2x(x − 6) + 16
C) y = 2(x − 3)2 + (−2)
D) y = (x − 2)(2x − 8)
Choice C is correct.
The equation y = (2x − 4)(x − 4) can be written in vertex form, y = a (x − h ) 2 + k, to display the vertex, (h, k ), of the parabola.
To put the equation in vertex form, first multiply: (2x − 4)(x − 4) = 2x 2 − 8x − 4x + 16. Then, add like terms, 2x 2 − 8x − 4x + 16 = 2x 2 − 12x + 16. The next step is completing the square. y = 2x 2 − 12x + 16 y = 2(x 2 − 6x ) + 16 Isolate the x 2 term by factoring. y = 2(x 2 − 6x + 9 − 9) + 16 Make a perfect square in the parentheses. y = 2(x 2 − 6x + 9) − 18 + 16 Move the extra term out of the parentheses. y = 2(x − 3)2 − 18 + 16 Factor inside the parentheses. y = 2(x − 3)2 − 2 Simplify the remaining terms. Therefore, the coordinates of the vertex, (3, −2), are both revealed only in choice C. Since you are told that all of the equations are equivalent, simply knowing the form that displays the coordinates of the vertex will save all of these steps
On Saturday afternoon, Armand sent m text messages each hour for 5 hours, and Tyrone sent p text messages each hour for 4 hours. Which of the following represents the total number of messages sent by Armand and Tyrone on Saturday afternoon?
A) 9mp
B) 20mp
C) 5 +4 m p
D) 4 +5 m p
Choice C is correct.
The total number of messages sent by Armand is the 5 hours he spent texting multiplied by his rate of texting: m texts/hour × 5 hours = 5m texts. Similarly, the total number of messages sent by Tyrone is the 4 hours he spent texting multiplied by his rate of texting: p texts/hour × 4 hours = 4p texts. The total number of messages sent by Armand and Tyrone is the sum of the total number of messages sent by Armand and the total number of messages sent by Tyrone: 5m + 4p.
Bob insists________ annoying.
A. at being
B. on being
C. both are correct
B. on being
Again, there is no rule to learn that lets you know that the phrase should be "insists on being" instead of "insists at being."
*Practice tips
Keep a list of idioms that appear on practice tests.
Review and familiarize yourself with the list of idioms below.
Belinda’s favorite ice cream flavor is coffee, and her sister’s favorite is mint chip.
A. NO CHANGE
B. Belinda’s favorite ice cream flavor is coffee and her sister’s favorite is mint chip.
C. Belinda’s favorite ice cream flavor, is coffee and her sister’s favorite is mint chip.
Coordinating conjunctions
Another important use of the comma is with FANBOYS. This is a useful mnemonic for the coordinating conjunctions: for, and, nor, but, or, yet and so.
A comma, followed by a coordinating conjunction, can be used to join two independent clauses.
The Trenton Thunder is a Minor League baseball team, it is from Trenton, New Jersey.
A. [NO CHANGE]
B. baseball team, they are
C. baseball team
D. baseball team; they are
C – The sentence begins as a Comma Splice error with two Independent Clauses connected by only a comma
If y = x 3 + 2x + 5 and z = x 2 + 7x + 1, what is 2y + z in terms of x?
A) 3x 3 + 11x + 11
B) 2x 3 + x 2 + 9x + 6
C) 2x 3 + x 2 + 11x + 11
D) 2x 3 + 2x 2 + 18x + 12
Choice C is correct.
Substituting the expressions equivalent to y and z into 2y + z results in the expression 2(x 3 + 2x + 5) + x 2 + 7x + 1. You must apply the distributive property to multiply x 3 + 2x + 5 by 2 and then combine the like terms in the expression.
h a = 3 + 28.6 A pediatrician uses the model above to estimate the height h of a boy, in inches, in terms of the boy’s age a, in years, between the ages of 2 and 5. Based on the model, what is the estimated increase, in inches, of a boy’s height each year?
A) 3
B) 5.7
C) 9.5
D) 14.3
Choice A is correct.
In the equation h = 3a + 28.6, if a, the age of the boy, increases by 1, then h becomes h = 3(a + 1) + 28.6 = 3a + 3 + 28.6 = (3a + 28.6) + 3. Therefore, the model estimates that the boy’s height increases by 3 inches each year
Diligent research performed by education scholars indicates that more time spent studying correlates from better educational outcomes.
A. NO CHANGE
B. of
C. with
D. Delete the underlined portion
C. with
Reya enjoys playing sports; because her favorite is basketball.
A. NO CHANGE
B. Reya enjoys playing sports; her favorite is basketball.
Semicolons
Semicolons are primarily used to join two independent clauses. Usually, the two independent clauses are related, and the second emphasizes, clarifies, or follows from the first. Unlike commas, semicolons don’t need to be used with a coordinating conjunction.
In 1686, at the age of only eight, Heinrich Gustav was appointed captain in the German army, he was a prince and was therefore required to serve in the armed forces.
A. [NO CHANGE
B. army;
C. army; he was
D. army, who was
C - The sentence as written has two Independent Clauses glued together with only a comma to connect them – the classic Comma Splice error.
Choice C correctly uses a semicolon to separate two Independent Clauses
A line in the xy-plane passes through the origin and has a slope of 1 /7 . Which of the following points lies on the line?
A) (0, 7)
B) (1, 7)
C) (7, 7)
D) (14, 2)
Choice D is correct. Determine the equation of the line to find the relationship between the x- and y-coordinates of points on the line. All lines through the origin are of the form y = mx, so the equation is y = 1/ 7 x. A point lies on the line if and only if its y-coordinate is 1/ 7 of its x-coordinate. Of the given choices, only choice D, (14, 2), satisfies this condition: 2 = 1/ 7 (14).
If t > 0 and t −4=0 2 , what is the value of t ?
The correct answer is 2. To solve for t, factor the left side of t 2 − 4 = 0, giving (t − 2)(t + 2) = 0. Therefore, either t − 2 = 0 or t + 2 = 0. If t − 2 = 0, then t = 2, and if t + 2 = 0, then t = −2. Since it is given that t > 0, the value of t must be 2. Another way to solve for t is to add 4 to both sides of t 2 − 4 = 0, giving t 2 = 4. Then, taking the square root of the left and the right side of the equation gives t = ±√ _ 4 = ±2. Since it is given that t > 0, the value of t must be 2.
After being interrogated by the police for five hours, Ken admitted to being guilty of racketeering and money laundering.
A. NO CHANGE
B. to be
C. to having
D. is
A. NO CHANGE
There are many items you’ll need to pack if you decide to go skiing, gloves, a jacket, and a beanie.
A. NO CHANGE
B. There are many items you’ll need to pack if you decide to go skiing: gloves, a jacket, and a beanie.
C. There are many items you’ll need to pack if you decide to go skiing gloves, a jacket, and a beanie.
Colons
The first and foremost rule is that a colon must be preceded by an independent clause. Like commas, colons have multiple uses:
I one met a Harvard math professor, considered preeminent in his field; and at the forefront of economic analysis.
A. [NO CHANGE]
B. field, and was
C. field, who was
D. field, he was
Choice C is the best option, because it turns the second half of the sentence into a Parenthetical Clause
g( ) = + 24 x ax2 For the function g defined above, a is a constant and g(4) = 8. What is the value of g(−4) ?
A) 8
B) 0
C) −1
D) −8
Choice A is correct. Since g is an even function, g(−4) = g(4) = 8.