CLAST English Language Skills 2

Question 1

Which sentence contains a subject-verb agreement error?

Accepted Answer

Neither the manager nor the employees was informed.

Answer

When 'neither/nor' connects a singular and a plural noun, the verb agrees with the closer noun — 'employees' (plural) requires 'were.'

Question 2

Which sentence correctly uses a comma?

Accepted Answer

Although she was tired, she finished the report.

Answer

A comma is correctly placed after an introductory dependent clause ('Although she was tired') before the main clause.

Question 3

What error appears in this sentence: 'The professor, who teaches biology and chemistry graded all the exams.'

Accepted Answer

Missing comma after the nonrestrictive clause

Answer

The nonrestrictive clause 'who teaches biology and chemistry' must be set off with commas on both sides.

Question 4

Which sentence uses the apostrophe correctly?

Accepted Answer

The children's playground was renovated.

Answer

'Children' is an irregular plural, so the possessive is formed by adding 's to give 'children's.'

Question 5

Which of the following is a run-on sentence?

Accepted Answer

She studied she passed.

Answer

Two independent clauses ('She studied' and 'she passed') joined without any punctuation or conjunction form a run-on sentence.

CLAST - College Level Academic Skills Test Practice Test