CHSPE Grammar and Usage 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which sentence is punctuated correctly?
- He said, "I'll be there soon".
- He said "I'll be there soon."
- He said, "I'll be there soon." (Correct answer)
- He said "I'll be there soon".
Correct answer: He said, "I'll be there soon."
A comma follows the attribution 'He said,' and the period is placed inside the closing quotation mark.
Question 2: Select the sentence that avoids a double negative.
- She didn't say nothing about it.
- He can't barely hear you.
- They don't have any money. (Correct answer)
- I haven't never been there.
Correct answer: They don't have any money.
'Don't have any money' uses a single negative and is grammatically correct; the other options each contain two negatives.
Question 3: Which word is an adverb in the sentence: 'She quickly finished her extremely difficult exam.'?
- quickly (Correct answer)
- difficult
- finished
- exam
Correct answer: quickly
'Quickly' modifies the verb 'finished,' making it an adverb.
Question 4: Choose the correct word: 'The council will ______ vote on the new law tomorrow.'
- altogether
- all together (Correct answer)
- alot
- a lot
Correct answer: all together
'All together' means 'as a group,' which fits the context; 'altogether' means 'completely' and would not make sense here.
Question 5: Identify the sentence that uses parallel structure correctly.
- She likes hiking, to swim, and running.
- She likes hiking, swimming, and running. (Correct answer)
- She likes to hike, swimming, and to run.
- She likes hiking, to swim, and to run.
Correct answer: She likes hiking, swimming, and running.
'Hiking, swimming, and running' maintains parallel structure by using three gerunds in the same form.
Question 6: Which sentence correctly uses the word 'lie' vs. 'lay'?
- I need to lay down for a nap.
- Please lay the book on the table. (Correct answer)
- The dog is laying in the yard.
- Yesterday, I lied the keys on the counter.
Correct answer: Please lay the book on the table.
'Lay' means 'to place something,' and here it correctly takes an object ('the book').
Question 7: Which sentence correctly uses a comma after an introductory element?
- Although she was tired she kept working.
- After the storm passed the roads were clear.
- Before leaving, she turned off the lights. (Correct answer)
- Because he studied hard he passed.
Correct answer: Before leaving, she turned off the lights.
A comma is correctly placed after the introductory prepositional phrase 'Before leaving.'
CHSPE Grammar and Usage 3
Which sentence is punctuated correctly?