CELSA Knowledge 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which sentence uses the subjunctive mood correctly?
- I wish I was taller.
- She suggested that he takes a break.
- It is important that she be on time. (Correct answer)
- If I would have known, I would have helped.
Correct answer: It is important that she be on time.
The subjunctive mood requires the base form of the verb ('be') after expressions like 'it is important that.'
Question 2: Which word correctly completes the sentence: 'The committee has made its _____ on the proposal.'
- decision (Correct answer)
- decisioning
- decisional
- decisive
Correct answer: decision
'Decision' is the correct noun form needed as the object of the verb 'made.'
Question 3: In the sentence 'Running through the park, the flowers looked beautiful,' what is the grammatical error?
- Subject-verb disagreement
- Dangling modifier (Correct answer)
- Comma splice
- Faulty parallelism
Correct answer: Dangling modifier
The participial phrase 'Running through the park' dangles because it illogically modifies 'the flowers' rather than a person.
Question 4: Which sentence demonstrates correct use of a semicolon?
- She studied hard; and passed the exam.
- He likes coffee; tea and juice.
- The test was difficult; however, she passed. (Correct answer)
- I need to buy: milk; eggs; and bread.
Correct answer: The test was difficult; however, she passed.
A semicolon correctly joins two independent clauses, especially when using a conjunctive adverb like 'however.'
Question 5: What does the prefix 'mal-' mean in words like 'malfunction' and 'malnutrition'?
- Good or well
- Bad or poorly (Correct answer)
- Again or back
- Before or prior
Correct answer: Bad or poorly
The Latin prefix 'mal-' means bad or poorly, indicating something is working badly or is deficient.
Question 6: Which sentence correctly uses a restrictive clause?
- The book, that I borrowed, was excellent.
- Students who study regularly tend to perform better. (Correct answer)
- My brother, who lives in Denver, visits often.
- The car, which I bought last year, needs repairs.
Correct answer: Students who study regularly tend to perform better.
A restrictive clause ('who study regularly') is essential to the meaning and is not set off by commas.
Question 7: Choose the correctly punctuated sentence with a possessive.
- The childrens' toys were scattered.
- The womens' locker room is closed.
- The children's toys were scattered. (Correct answer)
- The childrens's toys were scattered.
Correct answer: The children's toys were scattered.
'Children' is an irregular plural that does not end in -s, so the possessive is formed by adding 's.
CELSA Knowledge 2
Which sentence uses the subjunctive mood correctly?