APCAT English Grammar and Structure 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which sentence uses a colon correctly?
- The officer needed: a flashlight, handcuffs, and a radio.
- She packed the following items: a flashlight, handcuffs, and a radio. (Correct answer)
- The required items are: listed in the manual.
- He noted: that the door was unlocked.
Correct answer: She packed the following items: a flashlight, handcuffs, and a radio.
A colon correctly follows a complete independent clause when introducing a list, as in option B.
Question 2: Choose the sentence that avoids wordiness.
- Due to the fact that it was raining, the pursuit was called off.
- In spite of the fact that evidence was found, charges were dropped.
- Because it was raining, the pursuit was called off. (Correct answer)
- At this point in time, the investigation is ongoing.
Correct answer: Because it was raining, the pursuit was called off.
'Because' replaces the wordy phrase 'due to the fact that,' making the sentence concise and clear.
Question 3: Which sentence contains a comma splice?
- The officer filed the report, and then she went home.
- After the shift ended, the sergeant locked the office.
- The suspect denied the charges, the lawyer advised him to remain silent. (Correct answer)
- Responding quickly, the officer secured the scene.
Correct answer: The suspect denied the charges, the lawyer advised him to remain silent.
Option C joins two independent clauses with only a comma, creating a comma splice — a punctuation error.
Question 4: What is the correct past tense of the verb 'to lie' (meaning to recline)?
- lied
- laid
- lay (Correct answer)
- lain
Correct answer: lay
The past tense of 'to lie' (recline) is 'lay'; 'lied' is the past tense of 'to lie' (to be untruthful).
Question 5: Select the sentence with correct pronoun-antecedent agreement.
- Every officer must submit their report by Friday.
- Each of the recruits must bring their own equipment.
- Neither suspect admitted to their involvement.
- The team completed its training on schedule. (Correct answer)
Correct answer: The team completed its training on schedule.
'Team' is a collective noun treated as singular in this context, so 'its' is the correct singular pronoun.
Question 6: Which sentence uses 'affect' and 'effect' correctly?
- The weather effected the officer's ability to patrol.
- The new policy will effect how reports are filed.
- Stress can affect an officer's decision-making. (Correct answer)
- The affect of the ruling was significant.
Correct answer: Stress can affect an officer's decision-making.
'Affect' is typically used as a verb meaning to influence, while 'effect' is typically the noun result.
Question 7: Which sentence correctly demonstrates the use of a conditional mood?
- If the officer files the report, she will receive recognition. (Correct answer)
- If the officer filed the report, she receives recognition.
- If the officer will file the report, she would receive recognition.
- If the officer would file the report, she will receive recognition.
Correct answer: If the officer files the report, she will receive recognition.
The real conditional uses 'if + simple present' in the condition clause and 'will + base verb' in the result clause.
APCAT English Grammar and Structure 4
Which sentence uses a colon correctly?