Basic Ability Test Basic Ability Grammar and Sentence Correction 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which sentence avoids a double negative?
- She didn't say nothing about the plan.
- He can't barely hear the speaker.
- They don't have any objections to the proposal. (Correct answer)
- I haven't got no time for this.
Correct answer: They don't have any objections to the proposal.
'Don't have any objections' uses a single negative correctly, making the sentence clear.
Question 2: Select the sentence that correctly uses a colon.
- The recipe requires: flour, sugar, and eggs.
- She had one goal: to finish the project by Friday. (Correct answer)
- He mentioned that: the meeting was postponed.
- The winner was: the youngest competitor.
Correct answer: She had one goal: to finish the project by Friday.
A colon after a complete independent clause correctly introduces what follows.
Question 3: Which option correctly fills the blank? 'The results of the experiment _____ published last month.'
- was
- were (Correct answer)
- has been
- is
Correct answer: were
'Results' is plural, so the plural past tense verb 'were' is required.
Question 4: Choose the sentence that uses 'lay' and 'lie' correctly.
- I need to lay down for an hour.
- She laid the documents on the desk. (Correct answer)
- Yesterday I lied the book on the shelf.
- Please lay still while the doctor examines you.
Correct answer: She laid the documents on the desk.
'Laid' is the past tense of 'lay,' which means to place something down.
Question 5: Which sentence demonstrates correct subject-verb agreement with an indefinite pronoun?
- Everyone in the department were notified.
- Each of the reports are complete.
- Neither of the candidates has withdrawn. (Correct answer)
- Both of the team members is experienced.
Correct answer: Neither of the candidates has withdrawn.
'Neither' is singular and correctly takes the singular verb 'has.'
Question 6: Identify the sentence with incorrect capitalization.
- She studied French and history in college.
- He visited the Grand Canyon last summer.
- The President signed the bill into law.
- We read a novel by charles dickens. (Correct answer)
Correct answer: We read a novel by charles dickens.
Proper names like 'Charles Dickens' must always be capitalized.
Question 7: Which sentence is grammatically correct?
- The jury have reached their verdict.
- The jury has reached its verdict. (Correct answer)
- The jury have reached its verdict.
- The jury has reached their verdict.
Correct answer: The jury has reached its verdict.
In American English, collective nouns like 'jury' are treated as singular, taking 'has' and 'its.'
Basic Ability Test Basic Ability Grammar and Sentence Correction 5
Which sentence avoids a double negative?