CAAT - Canadian Adult Achievement Writing and Language Usage Questions and Answers — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which of the following sentences is grammatically correct?
- The manager, along with the two team leads, is reviewing the quarterly reports. (Correct answer)
- The manager, along with the two team leads, are reviewing the quarterly reports.
- The manager along with the two team leads, are reviewing the quarterly reports.
- The manager, along with the two team leads are reviewing the quarterly reports.
Correct answer: The manager, along with the two team leads, is reviewing the quarterly reports.
The correct answer uses a singular verb ('is') to agree with the singular subject ('manager'). Phrases like 'along with,' 'as well as,' and 'in addition to' are parenthetical and do not make the subject plural. The phrase 'along with the two team leads' simply adds extra information and is correctly set off by commas.
Question 2: Read the following sentences: The city council approved the new budget. It was a long and difficult debate. Which is the BEST way to combine these two sentences?
- The city council approved the new budget, it was a long and difficult debate.
- After a long and difficult debate, the city council approved the new budget. (Correct answer)
- The city council approved the new budget and it was a long and difficult debate.
- The city council approved the new budget, a long and difficult debate it was.
Correct answer: After a long and difficult debate, the city council approved the new budget.
This choice correctly turns the second sentence into an introductory subordinate clause, creating a complex sentence that shows a logical relationship between the debate and the approval. The other options create a comma splice (A), are less concise (C), or use awkward phrasing (D).
Question 3: The constant noise from the construction site began to ___________ the residents of the quiet neighbourhood.
- pacify
- agitate (Correct answer)
- elucidate
- commend
Correct answer: agitate
The word 'agitate' means to make someone troubled or nervous, which fits the context of constant, disruptive noise. 'Pacify' means to calm down, 'elucidate' means to make clear, and 'commend' means to praise; none of these words make sense in the sentence.
Question 4: Which of the following sentences uses punctuation correctly?
- We need to buy three items: milk, bread, and eggs. (Correct answer)
- We need to buy three items, milk, bread, and eggs.
- We need to buy: three items milk, bread, and eggs.
- We need to buy three items; milk, bread, and eggs.
Correct answer: We need to buy three items: milk, bread, and eggs.
A colon is used correctly here to introduce a list that follows an independent clause. A comma is incorrect for introducing a list in this way. A semicolon is used to separate independent clauses or complex list items, which is not the case here.
Question 5: Each of the new employees must submit ___________ identification before receiving a security badge.
- they're
- their
- there
- his or her (Correct answer)
Correct answer: his or her
The antecedent 'Each' is a singular indefinite pronoun. Therefore, it requires a singular possessive pronoun. 'His or her' is the grammatically correct singular possessive form. 'Their' is a plural pronoun, 'they're' is a contraction for 'they are,' and 'there' is a location.
Question 6: Identify the error in the following sentence: The committee of concerned citizens believe that the proposed bylaw will negatively affect small businesses.
- The verb 'believe' does not agree with the subject. (Correct answer)
- The word 'negatively' is used incorrectly.
- There should be a comma after 'citizens'.
- The word 'affect' should be 'effect'.
Correct answer: The verb 'believe' does not agree with the subject.
The subject of the sentence is 'committee,' which is a singular collective noun. Therefore, the verb should be singular: 'believes.' 'Believe' is the plural form.
CAAT - Canadian Adult Achievement Writing and Language Usage Questions and Answers
Which of the following sentences is grammatically correct?