FREE PSSA English Questions and Answers
In the sentence below, identify the auxiliary/helping verb(s):
After my trip, I will have been to five different countries.
Explanation:
The verb “will" helps the word "have”.
Compared to many other trees, Coast redwoods have an advantage because they are bathed in fog on summer mornings.
What does the sentence's figurative language suggest?
Explanation:
The figurative language suggests that the fog envelops or covers the redwood trees, emphasizing their unique environmental advantage.
(1)Visitors agree that Greencastle, Pennsylvania, is the ideal location to take a walking tour. (2) In the town square, you get to set eyes on a really neat town clock that was built in 1872. (3) Another historic site to experience is a drugstore that has been in business for more than 150 years. (4) Interestingly, this drugstore was the site of Greencastle’s first telephone.
Which statement has to be changed to keep the style consistent?
Explanation:
To maintain consistency of style, the town square, like other locations mentioned, should be capitalized. So, it should be "In the Town Square."
(1) Recently in science class, our teacher demonstrated an interesting phenomenon related to light. (2) We were studying ultraviolet light, and she wanted us to observe the effects of this type of light on some classroom objects. (3) She put ink from a highlighter pen in a bowl, turned off the classroom lights, and turned on a black light, which produces ultraviolet light. (4) Glowing in the bowl, we were amazed at how the ink from the highlighter pen was clearly visible.
Which sentence has to be changed to correct the misplaced modifier?
Explanation:
The phrase "glowing in the bowl" is a misplaced modifier because it should directly modify "ink from a highlighter pen" rather than appearing at the beginning of the sentence. Placing it after "ink from a highlighter pen" would make the sentence clearer.
Big Ben is one of the most famous clock towers in the world, and it is also one of the
largest. (2) In fact, it is the third largest clock tower in the world. (3) The name “Big Ben”
refers to the bell, which was named after Sir Benjamin Hall, who ordered it. (4) As for the
bell itself, it weighs an astonishing thirteen tons.
Which sentence should end with an exclamation point to most effectively show excitement?
Explanation:
Adding an exclamation point to sentence 4 would effectively show excitement about the astonishing weight of the bell.
The following are introductory words, except_______.
Explanation:
The words "however," "although," and "since" are words used to introduce a phrase. "That" is not an introductory word; it is a function word.
In what way could the sentence below be made clearer?
Without help I would not finish this assignment.
Explanation:
A comma following "help" clears out a lot of confusion in the statement.
To indicate to readers they are nearing the end of a written piece, what transition would you use?
Explanation:
Transition phrases can effectively signal to your reader that we're nearing the end:
'in summary,' 'in conclusion,' 'to summarize,' and 'as I have shown'.
Many people love calico cats for their patches of white, orange, and black fur. (2) It may be surprising to find out that the word calico refers to the color pattern, not to the breed, size, or personality of the cat. (3) Almost any breed of cat—including the American shorthair the American wirehair, and the Japanese bobtail— can have the calico color pattern. (4) It is interesting that calico cats are considered a sign of good luck, are viewed as peaceful, and are nearly always female.
Which sentence needs a comma?
Explanation:
A comma is needed after "American wirehair" to separate items in a list of breeds of cats.
What can be used in an evaluative essay when presenting a controversial viewpoint?
Explanation:
By presenting counterarguments, you are presenting an opinion that might be controversial.
In a letter to a friend, John wrote, “The meeting will start at 7:00 Saturday morning. (2) This means that you and I will have to arrive around 6:45 if we want I am forgetting that we do not have to attend the first part of the meeting. (3) Let’s arrange to arrive at 7:15.
To show a sudden break in thought, where do we insert ellipsis points?
Explanation:
Ellipsis points can be inserted after "want" to indicate a sudden break in thought, signaling that the writer is forgetting something in the middle of the sentence.