ESL Sentence Skills Flashcards

What is the best version of the underlined part of this sentence? One of the choices involves leaving the sentence as it is written.New haircut and glasses despited, she was recognized by people wherever she went.

Answer: In spite of her new haircut and glasses,

The original phrase 'New haircut and glasses despited' is grammatically incorrect because 'despited' is not a word. The correct idiomatic expression to introduce a contrasting element is 'in spite of' or 'despite'. Option B, 'In spite of her new haircut and glasses,' correctly uses this idiom to convey that she was recognized even with changes to her appearance.

What is the best version of the underlined part of this sentence? One of the choices involves leaving the sentence as it is written. Daniel found that when it came to the need for 8 hours of sleep every night, he was an exception to the rule.

Answer: he was an exception to the rule

The original phrase 'he was an exception to the rule' is grammatically correct and uses the standard idiom. It clearly conveys that Daniel did not conform to the general rule of needing 8 hours of sleep. Options A, B, and C introduce grammatical errors, change the meaning, or use incorrect verb forms ('excepted' or 'excepting').

What is the best version of the underlined part of this sentence? One of the choices involves leaving the sentence as it is written. When my brother and I were children, we found five kittens hided under our porch.

Answer: we found five kittens hidden under our porch

The original sentence uses the incorrect past participle 'hided.' The correct past participle of the verb 'to hide' is 'hidden.' Option D, 'we found five kittens hidden under our porch,' correctly uses 'hidden' to describe the state of the kittens, making the sentence grammatically sound and clear.

We could find no one to look after our son, so my wife and I stayed home last night. Keeping the meaning the same, rewrite this sentence beginning with: Last night my wife and I stayed home,

Answer: because we could find no one to watch our son.

The original sentence establishes a cause-and-effect relationship: they stayed home *because* they couldn't find a babysitter. To maintain this meaning when starting with 'Last night my wife and I stayed home,' the rewritten sentence must clearly state the reason. Option C, 'because we could find no one to watch our son,' accurately preserves this causal link, explaining why they stayed home.

We filled our garden with perennial plants so we don’t have to replant every year; we look forward to watching them grow for years to come. Keeping the meaning the same, rewrite this sentence beginning with: We want a garden that will grow for years to come without replanting,

Answer: so we filled it with perennial plants

The original sentence explains that they filled their garden with perennial plants *so that* they wouldn't have to replant every year. The rewritten sentence, 'We want a garden that will grow for years to come without replanting,' sets up this desire. Option D, 'so we filled it with perennial plants,' correctly uses 'so' to indicate that filling the garden with perennials was the action taken to achieve that desire, maintaining the original meaning of purpose or consequence.

What is the best version of the underlined part of this sentence? One of the choices involves leaving the sentence as it is written. The search for a new job can be a challenge for anyone, so everyone should know how to write a resume and perform well in an interview.

Answer: perform well in an interview

The sentence requires parallel structure for the skills everyone should know: 'how to write a resume' and 'how to perform well in an interview.' The original phrasing 'perform well in an interview' correctly maintains this parallelism, as both phrases are implicitly governed by 'how to.' Options B, C, and D break this grammatical balance by changing the verb form.

What is the best version of the underlined part of this sentence? One of the choices involves leaving the sentence as it is written. Because of his fame in the music industry, Tupac was able to become starring in various films, before his death in 1996.

Answer: become the star of various films

The phrase 'become starring in various films' is grammatically awkward and incorrect. To express that Tupac took on leading roles in films, a more appropriate and grammatically correct phrasing is needed. Option A, 'become the star of various films,' clearly and correctly conveys that he achieved a starring role or status in films.

What is the best version of the underlined part of this sentence? One of the choices involves leaving the sentence as it is written. Taken aback by the sudden noise, Drew dropped his drinking glass.

Answer: Taken aback

The phrase 'Taken aback' is a common and correct idiom meaning to be surprised or startled. The original sentence uses this idiom appropriately as a participial phrase to describe Drew's reaction to the sudden noise. Options B, C, and D are grammatically incorrect or nonsensical variations of the idiom.

What is the best version of the underlined part of this sentence? One of the choices involves leaving the sentence as it is written. Jeff never met another friend like Heather, who proved to be a million and one.

Answer: who proved to be one in a million

The original phrase 'a million and one' is an incorrect idiom in this context. The correct idiom to describe someone who is exceptional, rare, or unique is 'one in a million.' Option B, 'who proved to be one in a million,' correctly uses this idiom to convey that Heather was a truly special friend.

What is the best version of the underlined part of this sentence? One of the choices involves leaving the sentence as it is written. The love of public speaking, to learn, and educating were what led Don to become a professor in the first place.

Answer: public speaking, learning, and educating

The sentence requires parallel structure for the list of things Don loved: 'public speaking, learning, and educating.' The original phrase 'public speaking, to learn, and educating' breaks this parallelism by mixing a gerund, an infinitive, and another gerund. Option D, 'public speaking, learning, and educating,' correctly uses three gerunds, ensuring consistent grammatical form within the list.

What is the best version of the underlined part of this sentence? One of the choices involves leaving the sentence as it is written. Mona didn’t mind very young kids; in fact, this age gave her the most joy as she raised her own children.

Answer: as she raised her own children

The main clause 'Mona didn't mind very young kids' is in the past tense. Therefore, the dependent clause describing her past experience raising children should also be in a consistent past tense. Option C, 'as she raised her own children,' correctly uses the simple past tense 'raised,' aligning with the overall past tense context of the sentence.

What is the best version of the underlined part of this sentence? One of the choices involves leaving the sentence as it is written. Because overseeing his school record, Ruben was not allowed to graduate with the rest of class.

Answer: Because of an oversight in his school record

The original phrase 'Because overseeing his school record' is grammatically incorrect and unclear. The intended meaning is that an *oversight* (a noun) *in* his school record was the cause. Option D, 'Because of an oversight in his school record,' correctly uses the noun 'oversight' and the prepositional phrase 'in his school record' to clearly and grammatically state the reason for Ruben's situation.

What is the best version of the underlined part of this sentence? One of the choices involves leaving the sentence as it is written. Ruth was a versatile athlete, able to excel as a point guard, forward, and center,from her height and agility.

Answer: because of her height and agility

The phrase 'from her height and agility' is an awkward and less precise way to express causation. The standard and most appropriate prepositional phrase to indicate the reason or cause for Ruth's versatility is 'because of.' Option B, 'because of her height and agility,' correctly and clearly states the reason for her athletic abilities.

What is the best version of the underlined part of this sentence? One of the choices involves leaving the sentence as it is written. I chose an older dog from the animal shelter because I'm fearing the senior animals would have trouble finding homes.

Answer: because I feared the

The main clause 'I chose an older dog' is in the past tense. The reason for this past action should also be expressed in a past tense for consistency. The original 'I'm fearing' (present continuous) is incorrect. Option C, 'because I feared the,' correctly uses the simple past tense 'feared,' which logically aligns with the past action of choosing the dog.

What is the best version of the underlined part of this sentence? One of the choices involves leaving the sentence as it is written. In spite of his idiosyncrasies, Weird Al Yankovic's hard work and reliable quality have earned him a longer career than many of his more conventional peers.

Answer: In spite of his idiosyncrasies

The phrase 'In spite of his idiosyncrasies' is a correct and common idiom used to introduce a contrasting element, meaning 'despite' or 'notwithstanding.' The original sentence uses this idiom perfectly to convey that Weird Al's success occurred despite his unusual qualities. Options A, C, and D either change the meaning or are grammatically incomplete/incorrect.

What is the best version of the underlined part of this sentence? One of the choices involves leaving the sentence as it is written. Never sweating in small situations, Nathan overcame his problems with little or no worry.

Answer: Never one to sweat the small stuff

The original phrase 'Never sweating in small situations' is grammatically awkward and not the most idiomatic way to express the idea. The common and more natural idiom for someone who remains calm and unconcerned about minor issues is 'Never one to sweat the small stuff.' Option D correctly uses this idiomatic expression as an introductory phrase.

What is the best version of the underlined part of this sentence? One of the choices involves leaving the sentence as it is written. Maggie was so intelligent that to choose between a degree in the fields of anthropology, economics, and to study law was a difficult proposition.

Answer: anthropology, economics, and law

The sentence requires parallel structure for the list of fields of study: 'anthropology, economics, and law.' The original phrase 'anthropology, economics, and to study law' breaks this parallelism by mixing nouns with an infinitive phrase. Option A, 'anthropology, economics, and law,' correctly lists three nouns, ensuring consistent grammatical form within the series.

What is the best version of the underlined part of this sentence? One of the choices involves leaving the sentence as it is written. Jodie was determined to try snorkeling and surfing in what was to be a fun-filled vacation.

Answer: in what was to be

The phrase 'in what was to be' correctly sets up an expectation or future event from a past perspective. Since the main clause 'Jodie was determined to try snorkeling and surfing' is in the past tense, the phrase describing the vacation should also reflect a past perspective on a future event. The original phrasing maintains this consistent tense and meaning.

What is the best version of the underlined part of this sentence? One of the choices involves leaving the sentence as it is written. Doris feels that she is the ideal candidate for the job because she is experienced, dedicated, and persistent.

Answer: Doris feels that she is

The original sentence uses consistent present tense verbs ('feels,' 'is,' 'is experienced, dedicated, and persistent'), which correctly expresses Doris's current belief and her current qualities. Options A and B introduce inconsistent past tenses, while option D changes the sentence structure, making it less direct than the clear statement of current facts in the original.

What is the best version of the underlined part of this sentence? One of the choices involves leaving the sentence as it is written. Weaving through the backstreets on my way home from work, I arrived 5 minutes sooner than usual.

Answer: Weaving through the backstreets

The original sentence correctly uses a participial phrase, 'Weaving through the backstreets on my way home from work,' to modify the subject 'I.' This construction is grammatically sound and concise, clearly indicating that 'I' was the one performing the action of weaving. Options A and D change the sentence structure or tense, while C uses the wrong participle.