CLEP English Composition 2

Question 1

Which sentence correctly uses a semicolon?

Accepted Answer

The rain stopped; the sun came out.

Answer

A semicolon joins two independent clauses without a conjunction.

Question 2

Identify the sentence with correct subject-verb agreement.

Accepted Answer

Neither the teacher nor the students were ready.

Answer

With 'neither/nor,' the verb agrees with the nearer subject, here the plural 'students.'

Question 3

Which word is an example of a dangling modifier error when misplaced?

Accepted Answer

Walking to school, the rain soaked me.

Answer

The modifier 'walking to school' wrongly attaches to 'the rain,' which cannot walk.

Question 4

What is the best revision for clarity: 'The reason is because he was late.'?

Accepted Answer

The reason is that he was late.

Answer

'The reason is because' is redundant; 'the reason is that' is correct.

Question 5

Which sentence uses the apostrophe correctly?

Accepted Answer

The dogs' bowls were empty.

Answer

For plural possessive of 'dogs,' the apostrophe follows the s.

CLEP Practice Test