Show:
Basic Grammar
Punctuation
Sentence Style
Mechanics and Spelling
Sentence Grammar
100
Fill in the blank: Experts say it is ________to praise children for eating something than to punish them for not eating everything. A. better B. best
A. better
100
Select the sentence that makes no errors in the use of apostrophes. A. Grammar isnt everybodys favorite subject. B. Grammar isn't everybody's favorite subject. C. Grammar isn't everybodys' favorite subject.
B. Grammar isn't everybody's favorite subject.
100
Select the choice that makes the structure of the original sentence consistent in grammar and meaning. If the original sentence is correct, click on "No change." My interest in a political career would satisfy my desire for public service. A. A political career would satisfy my desire for public service. B. My desire for public service would be satisfied by my interest in a political career. C. No change.
A. A political career would satisfy my desire for public service.
100
Select the sentence that makes no errors in the appropriate use of abbreviations in academic writing. A. The waiters prefer the a.m. shift because customers usually order just coffee, tea, doughnuts, etc. B. The waiters prefer the a.m. shift because customers usually order just coffee, tea, doughnuts, and so forth. C. The waiters prefer the morning shift because customers usually order just coffee, tea, doughnuts, and so forth.
C. The waiters prefer the morning shift because customers usually order just coffee, tea, doughnuts, and so forth.
100
Choose whether the following sentence is correct, a run-on sentence, or a comma splice. Most people are familiar with chain letters, this type of correspondence requires a person to copy a letter and send it on to five or more friends. A. run-on sentence B. comma splice C. correct
B. comma splice
200
Fill in the blank: Each of the legislators in Washington must reach ____own decision on funding military technology. A. his or her B. their
A. his or her
200
Choose the sentence in the pair that uses commas correctly. A. Since the beginning of the twentieth century, only eleven horses have won thoroughbred racing's Triple Crown coming in first in all three races. B. Since the beginning of the twentieth century, only eleven horses have won thoroughbred racing's Triple Crown, coming in first in all three races.
B. Since the beginning of the twentieth century, only eleven horses have won thoroughbred racing's Triple Crown, coming in first in all three races.
200
Choose the sentence in the pair that correctly joins two sentences. A. My car isn't worth a lot of money, in fact, it's probably not worth much more than three hundred dollars. B. My car isn't worth a lot of money; in fact, it's probably not worth much more than three hundred dollars
B. My car isn't worth a lot of money; in fact, it's probably not worth much more than three hundred dollars.
200
Select the sentence that makes no errors in the appropriate use of abbreviations in academic writing. A. Dostoyevsky was influenced by many Eur. writers—e.g., Dickens, Stendhal, and Balzac. B. Dostoyevsky was influenced by many European writers—e.g., Dickens, Stendhal, and Balzac. C. Dostoyevsky was influenced by many European writers—for example, Dickens, Stendhal, and Balzac.
C. Dostoyevsky was influenced by many European writers—for example, Dickens, Stendhal, and Balzac.
200
Many electronic chain letters appeal to the recipient's good nature, the recipient often hopes for the best and sends the letters on to other people. A. run-on sentence B. comma splice C. correct
B. comma splice
300
Does the following sentence contain a preposition or a conjunction? Some physicists believe that apparently chaotic behavior may actually act according to patterns.
Preposition
300
In the following item, choose the sentence that corrects any comma errors in the original sentence. If the original sentence is correct, choose "no change." People who feel uncomfortable with their appearance may turn to liposuction, nose jobs and implants to change the way they look. A. People who feel uncomfortable with their appearance may turn to liposuction, nose jobs, and implants to change the way they look. B. People, who feel uncomfortable with their appearance, may turn to liposuction, nose jobs, and implants to change the way they look. C. no change
A. People who feel uncomfortable with their appearance may turn to liposuction, nose jobs, and implants to change the way they look.
300
Choose the sentence that combines the following simple sentences more effectively. Nicotine is an ingredient in cigarettes. It is an addictive drug. A. Nicotine is an ingredient in cigarettes, so it is an addictive drug. B. Nicotine, which is an addictive drug, is an ingredient in cigarettes.
B. Nicotine, which is an addictive drug, is an ingredient in cigarettes.
300
Select the sentence that makes no errors in the use of capitalization. A. The council of Trent was convened to draw up the Catholic Response to the Protestant reformation. B. The council of Trent was convened to draw up the Catholic response to the Protestant Reformation. C. The Council of Trent was convened to draw up the Catholic response to the Protestant Reformation.
C. The Council of Trent was convened to draw up the Catholic response to the Protestant Reformation.
300
Select the word that correctly completes the following sentence. In the last couple of weeks, the chances for Daria's recovery ____ improved. A. have B. has
A. have
400
Which sentence is grammatically correct? A. Recently, several sports that no one had heard of thirty years ago gained popularity. B. Recently, several sports had gained popularity that no one had heard of thirty years ago.
A. Recently, several sports that no one had heard of thirty years ago gained popularity.
400
Select the sentence that makes no errors in the use of colons. A. Reviewers agree that the book possesses such traits as readability, intelligence, and humor. B. Reviewers agree that the book possesses such traits as: readability, intelligence, and humor. C. Reviewers agree that the book possesses: such traits as readability, intelligence, and humor.
A. Reviewers agree that the book possesses such traits as readability, intelligence, and humor.
400
For the following sentence, choose the edited version that improves sentence variety and is free of errors. In the adventure series, the twins play cute detectives. They promise to "solve any crime by dinnertime." A. In the adventure series, the twins play cute detectives who promise to "solve any crime by dinnertime." B. In the adventure series, the twins play cute detectives, who promise to "solve any crime by dinnertime."
A. In the adventure series, the twins play cute detectives who promise to "solve any crime by dinnertime."
400
In the following item, which word is misspelled: "alot" or "decorations"? If both of the words are spelled correctly, choose "both correct." If neither word is spelled correctly, choose "neither correct." Alot of decorations for the Chinese New Year celebration are red. A. Alot B. decorations C. both correct D. neither correct
A. Alot
400
Select the word that correctly completes the following sentence. Lauryn Hill's songs, favored by the young MTV crowd, _____ classic soul, reggae, and hip hop. A. unite B. unites
A. unite
500
Does the following sentence contain a misplaced modifier, a dangling modifer, or both: In its native country, the Argentine ant forms small colonies, a tiny black species of ant.
Misplaced modifier
500
Select the sentence that makes no errors in the use of semicolons. A. We accept the following forms of payment: cash, check, money order, and credit card. B. We accept the following forms of payment; cash, check, money order, and credit card. C. We accept the following forms of payment: cash; check; money order; and credit card.
A. We accept the following forms of payment: cash, check, money order, and credit card.
500
For the following pair of sentences, choose the revision that correctly joins the pair by using subordination. The waitress said that she could not give away the recipe. The recipe was for sale. A. Where the waitress said that she could not give away the recipe, the recipe was for sale. B. Although the waitress said that she could not give away the recipe, the recipe was for sale. C. Because the waitress said that she could not give away the recipe, the recipe was for sale.
B. Although the waitress said that she could not give away the recipe, the recipe was for sale.
500
Select the sentence that makes no errors in the use of hyphens. A. The drum-beating and hand-clapping signaled that the parade was near. B. The drumbeating and hand-clapping signaled that the parade was near. C. The drumbeating and hand clapping signaled that the parade was near.
C. The drumbeating and hand clapping signaled that the parade was near.
500
Select the phrase that correctly completes the following sentence. When the children all left home, ____ only Brenda and Oliver left in the big house. A. there was B. there were
B. there were