Comma usage
Which sentence uses commas correctly?
A. After the game we went out for pizza.
B. After the game, we went out for pizza.
C. After, the game we went out for pizza.
D. After the game we, went out for pizza.
B. After the game, we went out for pizza.
Which sentence corrects the verb error?
A. She don’t like going to the movies.
B. She doesn’t likes going to the movies.
C. She doesn’t like going to the movies.
D. She don’t likes going to the movies.
C. She doesn’t like going to the movies.
Which sentence is written in active voice?
A. The ball was thrown by Marcus.
B. The homework was completed by the class.
C. Marcus threw the ball.
D. The game was won by our team.
C. Marcus threw the ball.
Read the sentence.
The scientist’s explanation was so complex that many students had trouble understanding it.
What does the word complex most nearly mean?
A. simple
B. clear
C. complicated
D. boring
C. complicated
Which sentence contains a simile?
A. The wind whispered through the trees.
B. The classroom was a zoo during lunch.
C. She ran as fast as a cheetah.
D. The stars danced in the sky.
C. She ran as fast as a cheetah.
Which sentence correctly uses commas to separate items in a series?
A. I bought apples bananas, and oranges.
B. I bought apples, bananas and, oranges.
C. I bought apples, bananas, and oranges.
D. I bought, apples bananas and oranges.
C. I bought apples, bananas, and oranges.
Which sentence uses the correct verb tense?
A. Yesterday, we go to the store.
B. Yesterday, we gone to the store.
C. Yesterday, we went to the store.
D. Yesterday, we going to the store.
C. Yesterday, we went to the store.
Which sentence correctly changes the sentence to active voice?
The cake was baked by my sister.
A. The cake baked my sister.
B. My sister baked the cake.
C. My sister was baked the cake.
D. The cake is baked my sister.
B. My sister baked the cake.
Read the sentence.
Unlike his outgoing brother, Marcus is very reserved and prefers to spend time alone.
What does the word reserved most nearly mean?
A. shy
B. loud
C. friendly
D. confident
A. shy
Read the sentence.
The author describes the setting as dark, quiet, and empty.
What mood does this description create?
A. joyful
B. suspenseful
C. peaceful
D. energetic
B. suspenseful
Which sentence uses a comma correctly after an introductory phrase?
A. In the morning we have math class.
B. In the morning, we have math class.
C. In, the morning we have math class.
D. In the, morning we have math class
B. In the morning, we have math class.
Which sentence correctly fixes the subject-verb agreement error?
A. The group of students are going on a trip.
B. The group of students is going on a trip.
C. The group of students were going on a trip.
D. The group of students be going on a trip.
B. The group of students is going on a trip.
Which sentence is written in passive voice?
A. The dog chased the ball.
B. The teacher explained the lesson.
C. The ball was chased by the dog.
D. The students finished their work.
C. The ball was chased by the dog.
Read the sentence.
The old house looked dilapidated, with broken windows and a collapsing roof.
What does the word dilapidated most nearly mean?
A. new
B. beautiful
C. falling apart
D. brightly colored
C. falling apart
Read the sentence.
Lena slammed her book shut and crossed her arms, refusing to speak.
What can the reader infer about Lena?
A. She is excited
B. She is confused
C. She is upset
D. She is tired
C. She is upset
Which sentence correctly uses commas with a nonessential clause?
A. My brother who lives in Texas is visiting us.
B. My brother, who lives in Texas is visiting us.
C. My brother who lives in Texas, is visiting us.
D. My brother, who lives in Texas, is visiting us.
D. My brother, who lives in Texas, is visiting us.
Which sentence uses the correct form of the verb?
A. He has ate all of the cookies.
B. He have eaten all of the cookies.
C. He has eaten all of the cookies.
D. He have ate all of the cookies.
C. He has eaten all of the cookies.
Which revision changes the sentence to active voice?
The book was read by the students.
A. The students read the book.
B. The book read the students.
C. The students was reading the book.
D. The book is reading by the students.
A. The students read the book.
Read the sentence.
Although the directions seemed ambiguous at first, rereading them carefully helped us understand exactly what to do.
What does the word ambiguous most nearly mean?
A. very clear
B. confusing or unclear
C. extremely detailed
D. completely incorrect
B. confusing or unclear
Read the passage.
Even though Malik had practiced his speech many times, his hands trembled as he stepped onto the stage. However, once he began speaking, his confidence grew with each word.
Which theme is best supported by the passage?
A. Practice always guarantees success.
B. Fear can disappear with experience and effort.
C. Speaking in public is always difficult.
D. Confidence is something people are born with.
B. Fear can disappear with experience and effort.
Which sentence uses commas correctly in a compound sentence?
A. I wanted to go to the park but it started raining.
B. I wanted to go to the park, but it started raining.
C. I wanted to go, to the park but it started raining.
D. I wanted to go to the park but, it started raining.
B. I wanted to go to the park, but it started raining.
Which sentence corrects the verb error?
A. If she would have studied, she will pass the test.
B. If she studied, she would have passed the test.
C. If she had studied, she would have passed the test.
D. If she had studied, she will pass the test.
C. If she had studied, she would have passed the test.
Why might a writer choose to use passive voice?
A. To make the sentence shorter
B. To make the subject perform the action
C. To emphasize the action or receiver of the action
D. To avoid using verbs
C. To emphasize the action or receiver of the action
Read the sentence.
The teacher tried to mitigate the conflict between the students by calmly listening to both sides and suggesting a fair solution.
What does the word mitigate most nearly mean?
A. cause
B. ignore
C. make less severe
D. increase
C. make less severe
Read the sentence.
The author’s use of short, choppy sentences during the storm scene builds tension and keeps the reader on edge.
What is the effect of the author’s sentence structure?
A. It slows down the pacing of the story.
B. It creates a calm and relaxed mood.
C. It increases suspense and urgency.
D. It provides detailed background information.
C. It increases suspense and urgency.