CALP Academic Grammar and Syntax 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which sentence correctly uses a conditional structure appropriate for academic writing?
- If the temperature rises, the reaction would accelerate.
- If the temperature rises, the reaction accelerates. (Correct answer)
- If the temperature would rise, the reaction accelerates.
- If the temperature had risen, the reaction accelerates.
Correct answer: If the temperature rises, the reaction accelerates.
A first conditional (if + simple present, simple present) is used for real or possible conditions, making it appropriate when stating general academic principles.
Question 2: Which option correctly identifies the error in this sentence: 'The effects of climate change is visible in many regions.'?
- The word 'effects' should be 'effect'.
- The verb 'is' does not agree with the plural subject 'effects'. (Correct answer)
- The phrase 'many regions' is incorrectly placed.
- The word 'visible' should be 'visibly'.
Correct answer: The verb 'is' does not agree with the plural subject 'effects'.
Subject-verb agreement requires a plural verb ('are') to match the plural subject 'effects'; 'is' is singular and creates a grammatical error.
Question 3: Which sentence demonstrates correct use of an appositive phrase in academic writing?
- Vygotsky, who was a Soviet psychologist, developed the zone of proximal development.
- Vygotsky a Soviet psychologist developed the zone of proximal development.
- Vygotsky, a Soviet psychologist, developed the zone of proximal development. (Correct answer)
- Vygotsky: a Soviet psychologist developed the zone of proximal development.
Correct answer: Vygotsky, a Soviet psychologist, developed the zone of proximal development.
An appositive phrase renames or identifies the noun it follows and is set off by commas; 'a Soviet psychologist' is correctly placed and punctuated after 'Vygotsky'.
Question 4: Which sentence correctly uses a nominalization (converting a verb to a noun) in academic style?
- We observed that prices increased significantly.
- A significant increase in prices was observed. (Correct answer)
- Prices were significantly increasing.
- Observing significant increases of prices.
Correct answer: A significant increase in prices was observed.
Nominalization transforms 'increased' into 'increase' (a noun), enabling a more formal, impersonal academic register that emphasizes the process over the agent.
Question 5: What grammatical function does the word 'however' serve in academic writing?
- Subordinating conjunction
- Coordinating conjunction
- Conjunctive adverb (Correct answer)
- Preposition
Correct answer: Conjunctive adverb
'However' is a conjunctive adverb that connects two independent clauses by showing contrast and must be preceded by a semicolon or period when joining clauses.
Question 6: Which sentence correctly uses the subjunctive mood in academic writing?
- The committee recommended that the study is replicated.
- The committee recommended that the study be replicated. (Correct answer)
- The committee recommended that the study should be replicated.
- The committee recommended that the study would be replicated.
Correct answer: The committee recommended that the study be replicated.
The subjunctive mood is required after verbs of recommendation, demand, or suggestion, using the base form of the verb ('be') without 'should' or other modals.
Question 7: In the sentence 'The results, which were unexpected, prompted further investigation,' what type of relative clause is used?
- Restrictive (essential) relative clause
- Non-restrictive (non-essential) relative clause (Correct answer)
- Embedded question clause
- Conditional relative clause
Correct answer: Non-restrictive (non-essential) relative clause
A non-restrictive relative clause, set off by commas, adds extra information about a noun that is already fully identified and can be removed without changing the core meaning.
CALP Academic Grammar and Syntax 2
Which sentence correctly uses a conditional structure appropriate for academic writing?