Basic Ability Test Basic Ability Grammar and Sentence Correction 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which sentence uses the apostrophe correctly?
- The dog wagged it's tail.
- The childrens' playground was new.
- The manager's office is on the third floor. (Correct answer)
- Its' a beautiful morning.
Correct answer: The manager's office is on the third floor.
Apostrophes show possession for singular nouns by adding 's, so 'manager's' is correct.
Question 2: Select the sentence that is grammatically correct.
- Neither the coach nor the players was ready.
- Neither the coach nor the players were ready. (Correct answer)
- Neither the coach nor the players is ready.
- Neither the coach nor the players are ready.
Correct answer: Neither the coach nor the players were ready.
With 'neither…nor,' the verb agrees with the subject closest to it; 'players' is plural, so 'were' is correct.
Question 3: Choose the word that best completes the sentence: 'The new policy will _____ employees to work from home.'
- effect
- affect
- allow
- enable (Correct answer)
Correct answer: enable
'Enable' means to make possible or give the means to do something, which best fits the context.
Question 4: Identify the error in: 'Running to catch the bus, my umbrella was left behind.'
- Subject-verb disagreement
- Dangling modifier (Correct answer)
- Comma splice
- Wrong tense
Correct answer: Dangling modifier
The participial phrase 'Running to catch the bus' does not logically modify 'my umbrella,' creating a dangling modifier.
Question 5: Which version of the sentence is clearest and most concise?
- Due to the fact that it was raining, she brought an umbrella.
- Because it was raining, she brought an umbrella. (Correct answer)
- On account of rain conditions being present, she brought along an umbrella.
- It being the case that rain fell, she carried an umbrella with her.
Correct answer: Because it was raining, she brought an umbrella.
'Because' is a concise, direct connector that replaces wordy phrases like 'due to the fact that.'
Question 6: Which sentence correctly uses a semicolon?
- She loves hiking; and camping.
- He finished early; however, he waited for the others. (Correct answer)
- I need eggs; milk and butter.
- They went to the store; because they needed supplies.
Correct answer: He finished early; however, he waited for the others.
A semicolon correctly joins two independent clauses, especially before conjunctive adverbs like 'however.'
Question 7: Choose the correctly punctuated sentence.
- The report, which was submitted late caused delays.
- The report which was submitted late, caused delays.
- The report, which was submitted late, caused delays. (Correct answer)
- The report which was submitted late caused delays.
Correct answer: The report, which was submitted late, caused delays.
A nonrestrictive clause like 'which was submitted late' must be set off by commas on both sides.
Basic Ability Test Basic Ability Grammar and Sentence Correction 2
Which sentence uses the apostrophe correctly?