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Subject-Verb Agreement
Sentence Structure
Commas
Verb Tense
Transition Words
100
Not one of the many furry animals at the zoo with stripes were a tiger. A. NO CHANGE B. was a C. were an actual D. would have been an actual
Not one of the many furry animals at the zoo with stripes was a tiger. B. Verbs must agree with subjects (not other nouns) in a sentence.
100
The clouds part gradually the rain puddles on the sidewalk become bright, reflecting the sun like mirrors. A. NO CHANGE B. part, and gradually C. parting gradually D. part, gradually,
The clouds part, and gradually the rain puddles on the sidewalk become bright, reflecting the sun like mirrors. B. Use a comma and conjunction to separate independent clauses.
100
Even though she hadn’t practiced the piano in years she still remembered how to play the piece almost perfectly. A. NO CHANGE B. In years; she still remembered C. In years she, still remembered D. In years, she still remembered
Even though she hadn't practiced the piano in years, she still remembered how to play the piece almost perfectly. C. Use a comma after an introductory clause
100
Flowers hang from the cast iron railing, and water droplets had dripped off the petals. A. NO CHANGE B. drip C. dripped D. could have dripped
Flowers hand from the cast iron railing, and water droplets drip off the petals. B. Do not shift tenses within a sentence or passage.
100
For the poorest of settlements, wasting money on food that soon spoiled was worse than having a shortage. Many decreed, consequently, that no trade for food should be carried out before the fishermen returned with either their catch or their empty nets. A. NO CHANGE B. otherwise, C. however, D. frequently,
For the poorest of settlements, wasting money on food that soon spoiled was worse than having a shortage. Many decreed, consequently, that no trade for food should be carried out before the fishermen returned with either their catch or their empty nets. A.
200
Last Friday, a book of poems were delivered to my house as an early birthday gift from my mother. A. NO CHANGE B. were being C. was D. are
Last Friday, a book of poems was delivered to my house as an early birthday gift from my mother. C. The verb must agree with the subject (and not other nouns) in a sentence.
200
Others, feigning sleep, lie awake throughout nap time, rising instantly at the sound of the recess bell. Which of the following alternatives to the underlined portion would NOT be acceptable? A. time and then rise B. time. Then they rise C. time, only to rise D. time. Rising
D. time. Rising A sentence must have a subject and verb in order to be complete.
200
Once she started the car, she pulled out of the driveway and then, drove around the block and went into the store. A. NO CHANGE B. then, drove around, the block C. then drove around the block, D. then drove around the block
Once she started the car, she pulled out of the driveway and then drove around the block and went to the store. D. Do not use commas to separate a dependent clause from an independent clause
200
The drapes and curtains are bright pink, and the tile on the walls has been painted to match, although later it was covered with a more neutral varnish. A. NO CHANGE B. have been C. were D. are
The drapes and curtains are bight pink, and the tile on the walls has been painted to match, although later it was covered with a more neutral varnish. F. Do not shift verb tense, and be sure that verbs agree with subjects in tense and number.
200
The sound of a whistle pierced the thin night air of the woods, and the gate flung open without warning. Immediately, the dogs ran through the opening and into the forest. Which of the following would be the best alternative to the underlined portion of the sentence? A. Again, B. Now and then, C. At the same time, D. Occasionally,
The sound of a whistle pierced the thin night air of the woods, and the gate flung open without warning. At the same time, the dogs ran through the opening and into the forest. C.
300
A flowing waterfall crashes against the rocks, shimmering stones rustle on the river bottom, and the sun glisten off the sparkling water. A. NO CHANGE B. glistening C. has glistened D. glistens
A flowing waterfall crashes against the rocks, shimmering stones rustle on the river bottom, and the sun glistens off the sparkling water. D. Verbs should match in tense throughout a sentence or passage.
300
Pools of sweat forming on the gym floor as we trained like maniacs for the annual competition. A. NO CHANGE B. would form C. form D. OMIT
Pools of sweat would form on the gym floor as we trained like maniacs for the annual competition. B. Verb forms must be appropriate to complete the sentence within its context.
300
I can see him now, standing in the hallway, sweat dripping from his forehead, hands worn from the days work. A. NO CHANGE B. sweat dripping, from his forehead C. sweat, dripping from his, forehead D. sweat dripping from his forehead
I can see him now, standing in the hallway, sweat dripping from his forehead, hands worn from the day's work. A. Use commas to separate items in a series. Do not separate meaningful phrase elements from one another with a comma.
300
By 2075, the United States Census Bureau predicts the population will of doubled. A. NO CHANGE B. had doubled C. doubled D. will have doubled
By 2075, the United States Census Bureau predicts the population will have doubled. D. Use future tense when discussing possible future events. Understand usage with "of" and "have."
300
The remote Rainbow Waterfall is an arduous three-mile hike into the heart of the rainforest. Also, once you reach the timeworn Cachoeira do Arco-iris sign, the site is only a quarter of a mile away. A. NO CHANGE B. Once C. Additionally, once D. However, once
The remote Rainbow Waterfall is an arduous three-mile hike into the heart of the rainforest. Once you reach the timeworn Cachoeira do Arco-iris sign, the site is only a quarter of a mile away. G.
400
Almost every ski shop in Colorado have skis designed for the deep powder and back country skiing. A. NO CHANGE B. have skis and designed C. has skis designed D. have skis that designed
Almost every ski shop in Colorado has skis designed for deep powder and back country skiing. C. Verbs should agree with the subject (not other nouns) in the sentence.
400
My kids talk all the time about how they can't wait to grow up I don't understand their rush. A. NO CHANGE B. up, however C. up. D. up,
My kids talk all the time about how they can't wait to grow up. I don't understand their rush. C. Independent clauses can ONLY be joined by a comma with a conjunction, a semicolon, or a period.
400
Next, my sister and I, braid each other's hair. A. NO CHANGE B. Next my sister and I, C. Next my sister, and I D. Next, my sister and I
Next, my sister and I braid each other's hair. D. Use a comma after an independent clause (in this case, a transition word). Do not use a comma between a subject and its verb.
400
My mother said she would have checked with my father, who agreed that if I wanted to earn money, I should get a paper route. A. NO CHANGE B. would check C. have checked D. must checked
My mother said she would check with my father, who agreed that if I wanted to earn money, I should get a paper route. G. Use the context of the sentence to evaluate possible tense options.
400
The encyclopedia set I bought my grandparents last year has been handy in more ways than I could ever have anticipated. My grandpa, therefore, uses the fourth and fifth volumes to balance his wobbly kitchen table. A. NO CHANGE B. on the contrary, C. for instance, D. consequently,
The encyclopedia set I bought my grandparents last year has been handy in more ways than I could ever have anticipated. My grandpa, for instance, uses the fourth and fifth volumes to balance his wobbly kitchen table. C.
500
When sweat from an increase in heart rate and blood pressure occur, the body is able to cool down. A. NO CHANGE B. occurs C. are occurring D. happen
When sweat from an increase in heart rate and blood pressure occurs, the body is able to cool down. B. Verbs should agree with the subject and not other nouns in the sentence.
500
DeMarcus loved video games and movies. I loved poetry and classical music. Which of the following alternatives to the underlined portion would NOT be acceptable? A. movies. I, on the other hand, B. movies, while I C. movies; I D. movies I
D. movies I Two independent clauses must be separated by a comma with a conjunction, a semicolon, or a period.
500
The explorers reached the edge of the forest, where they collected water and they decided to set up camp for the night. A. NO CHANGE B. water and, they decided C. water, and they decided D. water and, they decided,
The explorers reached the edge of the forest, where they collected water, and they decided to set up camp for the night. C. Use a comma to separate two independent clauses along with a conjunction. Do not use a comma after the conjunction or between a verb and it's object.
500
These archeologists excavating delicate burial sites and using special tools to unearth ancient objects that could be the key to understanding this civilization. A. NO CHANGE B. excavating delicate burial sites and use C. excavated delicate burial sites to use D. excavate delicate burial sites and use
These archeologists excavate delicate burial sites and use special tools to unearth ancient objects that could be the key to understanding this civilization. D. Verb should agree with subject. Use context of sentence to determine appropriate tense.
500
When my father drives, he actually enjoys being stuck in heavy traffic, surrounded by other cars, even though most people consider traffic jams to be among the worst of life's inevitable annoyances. Which of the following would NOT be an appropriate alternative to the underlined section of this sentence? A. since B. although C. but D. even if
A. since