ALCPT - American Language Course Placement Test Grammar and Sentence Correction 8 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which sentence is grammatically correct?
- Each of the soldiers were issued a new uniform.
- Each of the soldiers was issued a new uniform. (Correct answer)
- Each of the soldiers have been issued a new uniform.
- Each of the soldiers are issued a new uniform.
Correct answer: Each of the soldiers was issued a new uniform.
'Each' is an indefinite pronoun that always takes a singular verb. 'Each of the soldiers was' is the only option with the correct singular verb form.
Question 2: Choose the correct word to complete the sentence: 'By the time the general arrived, the troops _______ already assembled.'
- have
- had (Correct answer)
- were
- will have
Correct answer: had
The past perfect 'had' is required here because the assembling happened before another past event (the general's arrival). 'Had already assembled' correctly shows the sequence of past events.
Question 3: Identify the error in this sentence: 'The officer, along with his aides, are responsible for the schedule.'
- The officer
- along with his aides
- are responsible (Correct answer)
- for the schedule
Correct answer: are responsible
The subject is 'The officer' (singular), and phrases beginning with 'along with' do not change the subject's number. The verb should be 'is responsible,' not 'are responsible.'
Question 4: Choose the correct word to complete the sentence: 'The sergeant told the recruits that they _______ report to the barracks immediately.'
- must to
- should to
- must (Correct answer)
- ought
Correct answer: must
'Must' is a modal verb and is never followed by 'to' when used as an obligation. 'Ought' requires 'to' after it, making option D incomplete. 'Must report' is the correct form.
Question 5: Identify the error in this sentence: 'Neither the major nor the privates was prepared for the inspection.'
- Neither the major
- nor the privates
- was prepared (Correct answer)
- for the inspection
Correct answer: was prepared
With 'neither…nor,' the verb agrees with the subject closest to it. Since 'the privates' is plural and is the nearest subject to the verb, the verb should be 'were prepared,' not 'was prepared.'
ALCPT - American Language Course Placement Test Grammar and Sentence Correction 8
Which sentence is grammatically correct?