Pronoun-Antecedent
1
1
Directions: State the underlined pronoun’s antecedent, then choose the best answer for each question below.
Although great white sharks are responsible for one-third to one-half of all shark attacks worldwide, research suggests my attacks are "sample bites" out of curiosity, not a desire to hunt and eat humans.
NO CHANGE
their attacks are
its attacks are
each attack is
What are great white sharks and 2. their attacks are?
Directions: 1) State any interrupting phrases between the subject and verb, 2) identify the subject of the underlined verb, then 3) choose the best answer for each question below.
The thesis of Malcolm Gladwell's book Outliers, contrary to what many people might expect, are that opportunity and luck are more important to achievement than a high IQ.
NO CHANGE
is
were
have been
What are of Malcolm Gladwell's book Outliers, The thesis, and 2. is?
Directions: State the underlined pronoun’s antecedent, then choose the best answer for each question below.
Though kangaroos seem docile, males can be fiercely competitive when he searches for mates.
NO CHANGE
it searches
they search
she searches
What are males and 3. they search?
Directions: 1) State any interrupting phrases between the subject and verb, 2) identify the subject of the underlined verb, then 3) choose the best answer for each question below.
The first large predators on Earth, according to some sources, was sea scorpions that grew to almost six feet in length.
NO CHANGE
were
is
has been
What are on Earth, according to some sources, large predators, and 2. were?
Directions: State the answer that best completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English.
Pronoun-Antecedent Question
In a 2017 study of these organisms, microbiologist Belinda Ferrari reported that ______ able to survive on a diet of atmospheric gases found in the soil.
a. it is
b. these is
c. either is
d. they are
What is d. they are?
Directions: State the underlined pronoun’s antecedent, then choose the best answer for each question below.
When my parents and I visited the Las Vegas Strip, you found Paris, Venice, pirates and a volcano—all within a four-mile stretch!
NO CHANGE
yours
we
they
What are my parents and I and 3. we?
Directions: 1) State any interrupting phrases between the subject and verb, 2) identify the subject of the underlined verb, then 3) choose the best answer for each question below.
An ice cream sundae, especially when topped with three or four cherries, make a delicious dessert.
NO CHANGE
makes
were making
are making
What are especially when topped with three or four cherries, An ice cream sundae, and 2. makes?
Directions: State the underlined pronoun’s antecedent, then choose the best answer for each question below.
Because frog eggs have no shell, yet must be kept hydrated to ensure proper development, external moisture is imperative for its development.
NO CHANGE
his
their
our
What are frog eggs and 3. their?
Directions: 1) State any interrupting phrases between the subject and verb, 2) identify the subject of the underlined verb, then 3) choose the best answer for each question below.
The calendar and the wheel, each an example of Mesopotamian ingenuity, are among the inventions we often take for granted today.
NO CHANGE
was
is
has been
What are each an example of Mesopotamian ingenuity, The calendar and the wheel, and 1. no change?
Directions: State the answer that best completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English.
Subject-Verb Question
It was a Monday morning in 2006, and I ___ Kyle Tucker the politician and intellectual, the defiant liberal embarking on his first day of what would be an illustrious political career.
a. am
b. was
c. were
d. have been
What is b. was?
Directions: State the underlined pronoun’s antecedent, then choose the best answer for each question below.
Although the black-tailed jackrabbit and the antelope jackrabbit appear nearly identical, tiny differences in ear size, fur coloring, and speed mark them as separate species.
NO CHANGE
it
us
this
What are black-tailed jackrabbit and the antelope jackrabbit and 1. no change?
Directions: 1) State any interrupting phrases between the subject and verb, 2) identify the subject of the underlined verb, then 3) choose the best answer for each question below.
NASA's long-awaited photos of Pluto show not a single impact crater appear on the planet's surface, which indicates that Pluto is geologically active.
NO CHANGE
have appeared
appears
are appearing
What are a single impact crater and 3. appears?
Directions: State the underlined pronoun’s antecedent, then choose the best answer for each question below.
When we won the lottery, we didn't expect that dozens of long lost relatives would show up on our doorstep.
NO CHANGE
their
one’s
Its
What are we and 1. no change?
Directions: 1) State any interrupting phrases between the subject and verb, 2) identify the subject of the underlined verb, then 3) choose the best answer for each question below.
Alma and her brother Jose has won the state robotics competition for high school students.
NO CHANGE
have won
is winning
was winning
What are Alma and her brother Jose and 2. have won?
Directions: State the answer that best completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English.
Pronoun-Antecedent Question
Before a jury trial begins, lawyers for each side interview potential jurors closely, ______ questions intended to reveal any biases.
a. asking him or her
b. asking them
c. asking it
d. to ask him or her
What is b. asking them?
Directions: State the underlined pronoun’s antecedent, then choose the best answer for each question below.
When you become an adult, one must assume many responsibilities such as money management, food preparation, and housekeeping.
NO CHANGE
you
they
he
What is adult/you and 2. you?
Directions: 1) State any interrupting phrases between the subject and verb, 2) identify the subject of the underlined verb, then 3) choose the best answer for each question below.
Great works of epic poetry, although often narratives of important events that are specific to a particular culture, have an appeal that transcends both time and place.
NO CHANGE
has
is having
was having
What are of epic poetry, although often narratives of important events that are specific to a particular culture, Great works, and 1. no change?
Directions: State the underlined pronoun’s antecedent, then choose the best answer for each question below.
Starfish are, remarkably, able to clone itself by literally tearing off a limb; that limb then undergoes its own process of rapid cell regeneration.
NO CHANGE
himself
themselves
oneself
What are starfish and 3. themselves?
Directions: 1) State any interrupting phrases between the subject and verb, 2) identify the subject of the underlined verb, then 3) choose the best answer for each question below.
More than 20 species of sharks and rays dwell in Gabon's new 18,000-square-mile marine sanctuary, which offer a refuge to many rare and threatened species.
NO CHANGE
have offered
were offering
offers
What are marine sanctuary and 4. offers?
Directions: State the answer that best completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English. ADDITIONALLY, correctly identify the pronoun's antecedent.
Pronoun-Antecedent Question
The survival of the orangutan is threatened by the destruction of __ habitat.
a. their
b. its
c. it
d. one’s
What are b. its and orangutan?
Directions: State the underlined pronoun’s antecedent, then choose the best answer for each question below.
Four varieties of puffin exist today, and each variety has distinctly different markings on they're beak.
NO CHANGE
that
its
it’s
What are each variety and 3. its?
Directions: 1) State any interrupting phrases between the subject and verb, 2) identify the subject of the underlined verb, then 3) choose the best answer for each question below.
After discovering that children who grow up on farms are less likely to suffer from asthma and allergies, researchers is trying to isolate the compounds in farm dust that lead to this protection.
NO CHANGE
tries
has tried
are trying
What are researchers and 4. are trying?
Directions: State the underlined pronoun’s antecedent, then choose the best answer for each question below.
Aside from humans, only higher primates, dolphins, killer whales, and elephants are able to recognize them in a mirror.
NO CHANGE
itself
himself
themselves
What are higher primates, dolphins, killer whales, and elephants and 4. themselves?
Directions: 1) State any interrupting phrases between the subject and verb, 2) identify the subject of the underlined verb, then 3) choose the best answer for each question below.
Despite claims that Columbus's journey to the Americas was filled with harsh weather, records show that the seas were fairly calm for the duration of the trip.
NO CHANGE
shows
is showing
has shown
What are records and 1. no change?
Directions: State the answer that best completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English. ADDITIONALLY, state the interrupting phrase and correctly identify the subject of the verb.
Subject-Verb Question
A Neapolitan pizza made with San Marzano tomatoes ______ considered more traditional than one made with any other type of tomatoes.
a. are
b. have been
c. is
d. were
What are c. is, with San Marzano tomatoes, and Neapolitan pizza.