CFPT English Expression and Grammar 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which sentence uses the subjunctive mood correctly?
- I wish I was able to attend the ceremony.
- I wish I were able to attend the ceremony. (Correct answer)
- I wish I am able to attend the ceremony.
- I wish I be able to attend the ceremony.
Correct answer: I wish I were able to attend the ceremony.
The subjunctive mood uses 'were' (not 'was') for hypothetical or contrary-to-fact conditions with 'wish.'
Question 2: Identify the sentence with correct parallel structure: 'The consular officer's duties include ___.'
- interviewing applicants, to process visas, and document verification.
- interviewing applicants, processing visas, and verifying documents. (Correct answer)
- to interview applicants, processing visas, and document verification.
- interview applicants, processing visas, and to verify documents.
Correct answer: interviewing applicants, processing visas, and verifying documents.
Parallel structure requires all items in a list to use the same grammatical form; here, all three are gerunds (-ing forms).
Question 3: Which word correctly completes the sentence: 'The ambassador's decision had a profound ___ on diplomatic relations'?
- affect
- effect (Correct answer)
- effecting
- affecting
Correct answer: effect
'Effect' is a noun here meaning result or impact, while 'affect' is typically a verb meaning to influence.
Question 4: Select the sentence that avoids a dangling modifier.
- Walking through the embassy gate, the guards were very thorough.
- Walking through the embassy gate, the diplomat presented her credentials. (Correct answer)
- Walking through the embassy gate, credentials were presented by the diplomat.
- Walking through the embassy gate, the inspection took several minutes.
Correct answer: Walking through the embassy gate, the diplomat presented her credentials.
A dangling modifier must be directly followed by the noun it modifies; 'the diplomat' is who was walking through the gate.
Question 5: Which sentence correctly uses a semicolon?
- The visa application was complete; however it required additional documentation.
- The visa application was complete; however, it required additional documentation. (Correct answer)
- The visa application was complete, however; it required additional documentation.
- The visa application was complete; However, it required additional documentation.
Correct answer: The visa application was complete; however, it required additional documentation.
A semicolon precedes a conjunctive adverb like 'however,' which is then followed by a comma.
Question 6: Choose the sentence with correct subject-verb agreement: 'Neither the consuls nor the ambassador ___.'
- were present at the briefing.
- was present at the briefing. (Correct answer)
- have been present at the briefing.
- are present at the briefing.
Correct answer: was present at the briefing.
With 'neither...nor,' the verb agrees with the subject closest to it; 'ambassador' is singular, so 'was' is correct.
Question 7: Which version corrects the comma splice in this sentence: 'The report was submitted on time, the director approved it immediately'?
- The report was submitted on time the director approved it immediately.
- The report was submitted on time; the director approved it immediately.
- The report was submitted on time, and the director approved it immediately.
- Both B and C are correct. (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Both B and C are correct.
A comma splice joins two independent clauses with only a comma; it can be fixed with a semicolon or a coordinating conjunction.
CFPT English Expression and Grammar 2
Which sentence uses the subjunctive mood correctly?