CFPT English Expression and Grammar 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which sentence correctly uses a colon?
- The consular team needed: passports, visas, and identification cards.
- The following documents were required: passports, visas, and identification cards. (Correct answer)
- Documents such as: passports, visas, and identification cards were required.
- Required: were passports, visas, and identification cards.
Correct answer: The following documents were required: passports, visas, and identification cards.
A colon introduces a list only after a complete independent clause; it should not interrupt a verb or preposition and its object.
Question 2: Select the sentence that avoids the misuse of 'literally.'
- The negotiation was literally a tug-of-war between the two sides.
- The ambassador literally moved mountains to secure the agreement.
- The crowd literally erupted in applause after the announcement.
- The official literally walked the entire length of the corridor before responding. (Correct answer)
Correct answer: The official literally walked the entire length of the corridor before responding.
'Literally' means something actually happened; only option D describes a physically possible action, not a metaphor.
Question 3: Which sentence correctly uses a conditional construction?
- If the visa was approved, the applicant would travel next week.
- If the visa were approved, the applicant would travel next week.
- If the visa is approved, the applicant would travel next week.
- If the visa is approved, the applicant will travel next week. (Correct answer)
Correct answer: If the visa is approved, the applicant will travel next week.
A real (open) conditional uses present tense in the 'if' clause and future tense ('will') in the main clause.
Question 4: Identify the sentence with a misplaced modifier.
- The diplomat reviewed the files carefully before the meeting.
- Carefully reviewed before the meeting, the diplomat found errors in the files. (Correct answer)
- The diplomat found errors in the files that she reviewed carefully.
- Having reviewed the files carefully, the diplomat presented her findings.
Correct answer: Carefully reviewed before the meeting, the diplomat found errors in the files.
In option B, 'carefully reviewed before the meeting' modifies 'diplomat,' but it is placed ambiguously and structured as a passive that precedes its subject incorrectly.
Question 5: Which sentence uses 'fewer' and 'less' correctly?
- There were less applicants this quarter than last quarter.
- The process took fewer time than expected.
- There were fewer applicants this quarter, and the process required less time. (Correct answer)
- There were less applicants and fewer time required this quarter.
Correct answer: There were fewer applicants this quarter, and the process required less time.
'Fewer' applies to countable nouns (applicants) and 'less' applies to uncountable nouns (time).
Question 6: Select the sentence that correctly uses a dash (em dash).
- The decision — made without consultation — surprised the entire team. (Correct answer)
- The decision-made without consultation-surprised the entire team.
- The decision, made without consultation — surprised the entire team.
- The decision made — without consultation surprised the entire team.
Correct answer: The decision — made without consultation — surprised the entire team.
Em dashes set off parenthetical information and must appear as a pair around the inserted phrase, with no extra punctuation.
Question 7: Which option correctly completes the sentence: 'The committee agreed that the policy ___ revised before the summit'?
- should be (Correct answer)
- should have
- must have been
- ought be
Correct answer: should be
'Should be' expresses a recommendation or obligation referring to a future action, which fits the context of revising before an upcoming summit.
CFPT English Expression and Grammar 4
Which sentence correctly uses a colon?