CLEP English Composition 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which sentence contains a comma splice?
- I finished the test, I went home. (Correct answer)
- I finished the test, so I went home.
- After I finished the test, I went home.
- I finished the test and went home.
Correct answer: I finished the test, I went home.
Two independent clauses joined by only a comma form a comma splice.
Question 2: What is the correct pronoun: 'Between you and ___, the plan is risky.'?
- me (Correct answer)
- I
- myself
- we
Correct answer: me
After the preposition 'between,' the objective pronoun 'me' is correct.
Question 3: Which sentence shows correct parallel structure?
- She likes hiking, swimming, and biking. (Correct answer)
- She likes hiking, to swim, and biking.
- She likes to hike, swimming, and bike.
- She likes hiking, swimming, and to bike.
Correct answer: She likes hiking, swimming, and biking.
Parallel structure uses the same grammatical form for all items in a series.
Question 4: Identify the correctly punctuated quotation.
- "I'll be there soon," she said. (Correct answer)
- "I'll be there soon", she said.
- "I'll be there soon," she said".
- "I'll be there soon." she said.
Correct answer: "I'll be there soon," she said.
In American usage, the comma goes inside the closing quotation mark.
Question 5: Which word choice is correct: 'The new policy will ___ everyone.'?
- affect (Correct answer)
- effect
- affects
- effected
Correct answer: affect
'Affect' is the verb meaning to influence; 'effect' is usually a noun.
Question 6: What is the best way to fix a sentence fragment?
- Add a subject and a complete verb. (Correct answer)
- Add more adjectives.
- Remove the punctuation.
- Capitalize the first word.
Correct answer: Add a subject and a complete verb.
A fragment lacks a subject or verb, so adding the missing element creates a complete sentence.
Question 7: Which sentence avoids wordiness best?
- We must decide now. (Correct answer)
- We must make a decision at this present time.
- It is necessary that we decide now.
- The decision must be made by us now.
Correct answer: We must decide now.
The most concise version conveys the meaning with fewest words.
CLEP English Composition 3
Which sentence contains a comma splice?